Pediatrics in Practice

Dysmenorrhea is the most common gyencologic complaint in adolescent females, affecting more than half of this population. Julie Strickland, MD, Section Chief of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology at Children's Mercy, discusses causes, diagnoses and treatment of this painful condition.

Female reproductive health is critical in growing girls and young women. Julie Strickland, MD, Section Chief of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, joins us for this episode of Pediatrics in Practice to talk about the need for pediatric and adolescent gynecologists, the conditions they treat and when to refer.

Enuresis or bedwetting is a common childhood problem, affecting 5 to 7 million children in the United States each year. By age 7, about 5-10 percent of all children are still wet at night. While 15 percent of kids will outgrow bedwetting without intervention every year, waiting and watching to see what happens could delay children getting dry at night. Listen as Judith VanSickle, MD, Pediatric Nephrologist, discusses causes, diagnosis and treatment of enuresis.

So you think rheumatology is all about joint pain? Think again. Rheumatologists treat a wide array of autoimmune conditions affecting nearly every part of the body- even the eyes. Uveitis is an inflammatory eye condition that can be caused by infection, underlying autoimmune diseases such as juvenile arthritis or sarcoidosis, or as an idiopathic disease. Untreated it can lead to cataracts, glaucoma and even blindness. Listen as Ashely Cooper, MD, pediatric rheumatologist, discusses childhood uveitis and how Children's Mercy Kansas City is improving care for kids with chronic uveitis.

Every year, influenza causes many people to become ill. All children 6 months and age and older should receive a yearly flu vaccine. Vaccination remains the best way to prevent influenza. Symptoms of influenza include abrupt onset of fever, myalgias, headache, nonproductive cough, sore throat and runny nose. Fever and cough are the two most common symptoms. When presented with these symptoms, providers are faced with the question to test and confirm the diagnosis of influenza or to initiate influenza treatment.

Jennifer Goldman, MD, Infectious Diseases specialist at Children's Mercy, discusses the role of influenza testing in clinical care and the risks and benefits of oseltamivir use.

The AAP recommends conducting general developmental screening at 9, 18, and 30 months, or whenever a concern is expressed. In addition, autism-specific screening is recommended at ages 18 and 24 months of age. When families arrive for their child's well-visits, how can each pediatrician be sure the right screening is taking place to identify any developmental delays quickly and effectively? Hear from Cy Nadler, Phd, and Sarah Nyp, MD, as they discuss the screening process and how to navigate the world of developmental delays and disabilities.

Enuresis, hematuria and proteinuria are common pediatric kidney disorders, but the when do these problems warrant a referral to a pediatric nephrologist? What red flag symptoms require more urgent consultation and evaluation? New specialty-specific guidelines from the "Choosing Wisely" campaign were just released for pediatric nephrology in an effort to educate about unnecessary medical tests, treatments and procedures. In this podcast, Darcy Weidemann, MD, pediatric nephrologist at Children's Mercy Kansas City, discusses evaluation and management options primary care providers should consider prior to subspecialty referral.

“Positive ANA” is one of the most common reasons for referral to the pediatric rheumatology clinic. The antinuclear antibody (ANA) is often mistakenly considered a good screening test for rheumatic disease.

Dr. Ashley Cooper, Interim Division Director of Pediatric Rheumatology, discusses what it means when a child has a positive anti-nuclear antibody test, when ANA should be checked, and how to talk about the test results with the family.

Orthopedic conditions can cause pain and dysfunction, causing aches and pains in bones and joints. Mobility and activity may be limited by these conditions.

Polly Wimer, CPNP, APRN discusses common orthopedic conditions and their treatment.