It is not uncommon for newborn babies to have slight imperfections in their heads. Most of the time, these imperfections will fix themselves over time, or once they begin to develop. However, sometimes a more serious diagnosis will require medical interventions. Craniosynostosis is a condition where a baby’s skull begins to fuse together too early. This occurs at birth or shortly after and if not treated, can affect brain development.  Today, I am excited to be speaking with my colleagues  Dr. Brooke French and Dr.  Allyson Alexander. Dr Allyson is a Pediatric Neurosurgeon here at Children’s Hospital Colorado and is also an Assistant Professor at University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Brooke French is the Co – Director of Cleft and Craniofacial Surgery Programs and is also the Director of Cosmetic Surgery here at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Craniosynostosis and Development with Brooke French, MD and Allyson Alexander, MD (S6:E4)

Children's Hospital Colorado experts examine the latest treatment options for the most common chief complaints in pediatric medicine. We will talk about significant research and advances in pediatric medicine, the nuanced art of practicing pediatrics and everything in between.

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  When you work in neonatology, you are surrounded by babies. You’re regularly meeting new parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, some who are living the best days of their lives, and others who are experiencing the very worst. But as a doctor, you never expect to become  the patient. We go beyond the white coat in this episode with a story of tragedy and personal discovery from  Laurie Sherlock, MD, that changed how she interacts with her patients and practices medicine. “I’ve been gifted through the accident and my son’s death. I’ve been gifted so much compassion for what our families are going through. I think my bandwidth is so much higher because it’s so easy for me to put myself in their shoes,” says Dr. Sherlock. Dr. Sherlock specializes in neonatal and perinatal pediatric medicine at Children’s Hospital Colorado and is an assistant professor of pediatrics and neonatology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Mostly importantly, she is a survivor who is using her own narrative to help others. Some highlights from this episode include:     Dr. Sherlock’s personal story and the impact it’s had on her career  Using personal experience to be a better doctor  Tapping into compassion at the bedside  Advice for patients and families experiencing tragedy      For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.     

Turning Tragedy into Triumph

  Innovations and techniques to enhance spinal surgical care, and support patient- centric outcomes, have made big strides in the last decade. Technology like surgical robots, 3D printed models customized to the patient, and a new procedure called vertebral body tethering are just a few examples of the many incredible advancements.      Two leading experts on scoliosis surgery at Children’s Hospital  Colorado  join us to discuss these impressive changes and how they are impacting patient care.  Mark Erickson, MD, is the medical director of the Children’s Hospital Colorado Spine Program, as well as a specialist in orthopedic surgery. He’s also a professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Sumeet Garg, MD, a pediatric orthopedic specialist, is the quality and safety director for the Spine Program, as  well an associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.    Some highlights from this episode include:     An orthopedic surgeon’s approach to spinal surgery and how it’s evolved over time  How surgery can improve a patient’s quality of life    A look at new, customized patient approaches  How the use of robotics is advancing treatment  What’s on the horizon in spine surgery innovation      For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.     

Spine Surgery Innovations: Advancing Treatment with Technology

     When babies enter the world, there’s a plethora of diagnoses providers need to look out for. Some are simple fixes, while others are a bit more complicated. When parents take their kids home, how should they know what to keep an eye out for? In this episode, we explore one potential diagnosis for an infant: tongue ties. How can you tell if a baby has one, and if they do, when should it be fixed? Looking at the concerns and consequences of tongue ties is important in making a decision on how to treat it.  To provide guidance in making these decisions, Soham Roy, MD, is our guest for this episode. Dr. Roy specializes in pediatric otolaryngology at Children’s Hospital Colorado, and he’s a visiting professor of otolaryngology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.  Some highlights from this episode include:     How to identify a tongue tie and variability in diagnoses   Why tongue ties are controversial    Identifying fact versus fiction in understanding tongue ties   The upsides and downsides of the tongue tie procedure   How providers can learn more     For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.      

The Lowdown on Tongue Ties: Breaking Down Fact Versus Fiction

 The care of children with cleft lip and palate spans an entire lifetime. It requires methodical care with a multidisciplinary team, and a special emphasis on the family. Integration with a child’s pediatrician, medical home and their loved ones is key. While the oral cleft is the most common craniofacial malformation in a newborn, the three main types differ vastly.      We are in for a treat with the guest for this episode. We are joined by a gifted plastic surgeon who has traveled the world to perform these life-changing surgeries and bring smiles to everyone involved. Phuong Nguyen, MD, specializes in plastic and reconstructive surgery here at Children’s Hospital Colorado. In addition, he is the associate vice chair of global surgery, chief of plastic surgery, co-director of the cleft lip and palate program and a professor of surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.    Some highlights from this episode include:   Prevalence and diagnosis of cleft lip and palate  The role of the pediatrician or PCP throughout the lifespan of these patients  Understanding if treatment is unique per patient  Global impact of specialists, like Dr. Nguyen, traveling to treat patients     For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org    

Care for Cleft Lip and Palate: The Commitment Spanning a Patient’s Lifetime

 You’ve likely heard of CRISPR, the comprehensive gene editing technology that emerged in the 2010s and has since revolutionized biological research. Additionally, the medical community has long been using the concept of gene therapy. What’s new is that both approaches have now successfully been harnessed for the treatment of human disease. In December 2023, the FDA approved two therapies for the treatment of sickle cell disease; one utilizing CRISPR technology and the other using a gene transfer therapy approach. These therapies now have the opportunity to change the life course of this terrible disease.      Our guest for this episode is Christopher McKinney, MD, who specializes in pediatric hematology here at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Dr. McKinney has been the hospital’s  site principal investigator in some of the clinical trials that are contributing to these new sickle cell therapies, and he is an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.      Some highlights from this episode include:   How these treatments work for diseases like sickle cell  What we know about the effectiveness of these therapies thus far  Important side effects and risks to take into consideration  Regardless of FDA approval, what barriers are in place  Powerful patient examples     For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org    

Craniosynostosis and Development with Brooke French, MD and Allyson Alexander, MD (S6:E4)

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