In honor of World Down Syndrome Day, we had some VERY special guests including my brother and parents!  Listen in as they discuss their experiences 46 years ago this month and how they compare to today.  

Dr. Andrew Nowalk, pediatric infectious diseases specialist at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, joins Dr. Vellody to talk about current topics of variants, vaccines, and a new study in Down syndrome from the T21-RS group.  

Medical vulnerability of individuals with Down syndrome to severe COVID-19–data from the Trisomy 21 Research Society and the UK ISARIC4C survey (t21rs.org)

Dr. Jillian Rork joins the podcast again today as a board certified pediatric dermatologist to discuss skin conditions in Down syndrome.  This is Part 2 of a video podcast series on this topic.  Topics in today's episode include:

• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Folliculitis
• Hidradenitis suppurativa
• Acanthosis nigricans
• Psoriasis
• Vitiligo
• Syringomas
• Toenail fungus (onychomycosis)
• Premature aging
• Skin cancers

Dr. Vellody was joined by specialists from the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Feeding Team to discuss techniques to effectively feed infants with Down syndrome.  Many thanks to our guests on the podcast:

• Uzma Faisal (Lactation)
• Jamie Scheller (Occupational Therapy)
• Sheri Rosen (Speech Therapy)

Dr. Jillian Rork joins the podcast today as a board certified pediatric dermatologist to discuss skin conditions in Down syndrome.  This is Part 1 of a video podcast series on this topic.  Topics in today's episode include:

• Dry skin
• Keratosis pilaris
• Eczema
• Cutis marmorata
• Dry lips, angular chelitis
• Fissured tongue
• Perioral dermatitis
• Diaper rash
• Alopecia areata

Dr. Nicole Baumer joined the podcast again today, this time to discuss a type of seizure called infantile spams that are seen more commonly in people with Down syndrome.

For more information and helpful videos, see:

Epilepsy Foundation https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-epilepsy-syndromes/infantile-spasms-west-syndrome

Dr. Andrew Nowalk from Pediatric Infectious Diseases joined the podcast today for an update on COVID-19 infections in Down syndrome.  We discussed the COVID-19 vaccine in general and also specifically in people with Down syndrome.

Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group (DSMIG) Statement on COVID-19 Vaccination https://www.dsmig-usa.org/resources/Documents/DSMIG%20COVID%20vaccine%20position%20statement_121720.pdf

American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Statement on COVID-19 Vaccination https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2020/12/vaccinating-pregnant-and-lactating-patients-against-covid-19

Dr. Kristen Ehrenberger, MD, PhD joins us on the podcast today to discuss the medical history of Down syndrome.  Dr. Ehrenberger is dually boarded in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, and she also has a degree in Medical History.  

Listen in as Rob Wrubel shares personal and professional advice on financial planning on today's podcast.  You can find more information and resources from Rob at his website at http://robwrubel.com.  

The Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh hosted a virtual town hall to discuss questions related to COVID and Down Syndrome.  Dr. Vellody, Dr. Nowalk, and Dr. Freeman were all present to answer questions live.