PEM Currents: The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Podcast

PEM Currents: The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Podcast episodes:

• 03.27.2024

  Metabolic Disorders

  This episode will help you better prepare for and manage children with inborn errors of metabolism in the Emergency Department. Consider it a supplement to what you remember from Biochemistry and the instructions on the family’s laminated care plan sheet....

  
• 02.22.2024

  Vitamin K Deficient Bleeding (Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn)

  Newborn infants need intramuscular injections of Vitamin K in order to produce critical clotting factors. If they don’t get it they can have potentially life threatening bleeding. PEMBlog @PEMTweets on… sigh “X” (Twitter) My Instagram My Mastodon account @bradsobo References * American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee...

  
• 01.17.2024

  Cellulitis

  This episode will help you recognize cellulitis and even differentiate it from erysipelas which is totally a different thing. You’ll also learn about treatment, whether or not a blood culture is necessary, and a whole lot more. PEMBlog @PEMTweets on… sigh “X”...

  
• 12.14.2023

  Laryngomalacia

  Laryngomalacia, is the most common cause of infant stridor. Early diagnosis is crucial as it can impact a child’s growth and development. Most infants get better on their own, but those with severe symptoms need surgical interventions like supraglottoplasty. Learn...

  
• 11.28.2023

  Meckel Diverticulum

  Meckel diverticulum is a congenital anomaly of the small intestine that can present with various clinical manifestations, including rectal bleeding and obstruction. Recognizing the characteristic features and understanding the differential diagnosis is crucial in managing patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding....

  
• 09.26.2023

  Respiratory viral panels

  Just because you can test for dozens of viruses with a single swab should you? Is this actually measuring a current infection, or a recent virus from which the child has since recovered. And what about the cost? Are these...

  
• 09.19.2023

  Constipation: Diagnosis, X-Rays, and more

  Where else is the poop going to be? Constipation is by and large a clinical diagnosis. This episode reviews how to make the diagnosis, red flags, and why X-Rays don’t necessarily help assess stool burden adequately in most children. This...

  
• 09.12.2023

  Do we need labs or a head CT after simple febrile or unprovoked seizures?

  Labs or CT scans are not necessary to provide additional diagnostic information or reassurance for most children who recover completely following simple febrile seizures or unprovoked first time generalized seizures. The rate of abnormalities on these studies is very low,...

  
• 09.05.2023

  Do we need labs to medically clear a patient for psych admission?

  For most children requiring admission to an inpatient psychiatric facility laboratory studies are generally not required. Many of the children and adolescents being admitted already have an established mental or behavioral diagnosis, and a reassuring history and exam. The heterogeneity...

  
• 08.29.2023

  Do children with bronchiolitis, croup, asthma, or first-time wheezing need a Chest X-Ray?

  For most children with children with bronchiolitis, croup, asthma, or first-time wheezing chest X-Rays are not necessary. These X-Rays are often obtained due to the possibility of missing pneumonia. But, these radiographs are hard to interpret, increase length of stay...

  
• 08.08.2023

  Henoch–Schönlein Purpura (HSP)

  Henoch–Schönlein Purpura (HSP) is a common vasculitis seen in younger children. The classic skin finding is palpable purpura in gravity dependent areas of the body (buttocks and legs). Children can also have arthralgias, abdominal pain and intussusception, and even nephritis. Learn...

  
• 06.27.2023

  Stings and Envenomations

  It is summertime, so the bees and bugs are out! In this episode, Dr. Ben Grebber, a pediatric resident at Boston Children’s Hospital/Tufts Children’s Hospital, discusses Bee Stings and Spider Bites. A very common pediatric summer complaint in emergency departments,...

  
• 06.14.2023

  Agitation Episode 5: The boarded ED patient

  We are in the midst of a staggering mental health crisis. Thousands of children and adolescents spend days at time in Emergency Departments waiting for definitive mental health disposition. This podcast episode hosted by Brad Sobolewski (@PEMTweets) and co-authored by...

  
• 06.07.2023

  Agitation Episode 4: Safe prehospital transport

  There are protocols in place that assist highly trained Emergency Medical Service providers in assuring that agitated children are safely transported to their destination. This podcast episode hosted by Brad Sobolewski (@PEMTweets) and co-authored by Dennis Ren (@DennisRenMD) is all...

  
• 05.31.2023

  Agitation Episode 3: Pharmacologic management

  When we think of managing agitated patients we think of medicines – but that shouldn’t be our first option. However, medications can be adjuncts to non-pharmacologic means to help keep agitated children safe from harm. This podcast episode hosted by...

  
• 05.24.2023

  Agitation Episode 2: Non-pharmacologic management

  Agitated children should always be treated with dignity and respect. This entails utilizing the least invasive non-pharmacologic means of assisting them, before moving to physical or chemical restraints. This podcast episode hosted by Brad Sobolewski (@PEMTweets) and co-authored by Dennis...

  
• 05.17.2023

  Agitation Episode 1: Differentiating organic versus psychiatric

  Most children who present to Pediatric Emergency Departments these days with mental health concerns – including agitation – have a known psychiatric problem or diagnosis. Furthermore, the connection between physical and functional symptoms is inextricably linked in many patients. Why...

  
• 04.26.2023

  Gun Violence and Safety (2023)

  Dr. Kit Carney and Dr. Kristen Humphrey discuss gun violence, its impact on our patients and their families, as well as practical tips on advocating for safe storage of firearms, and how we can support victims of violence. PEMBlog @PEMTweets on Twitter My...

  
• 04.12.2023

  Epiglottitis

  The epiglottis is the toilet seat of the airway. That’s a useful function. But what if becomes so swollen and inflamed that it leads to airway obstruction and respiratory failure. That’s bad. That’s also what epiglottitis is. You can also...

  
• 02.28.2023

  Norovirus

  Norovirus is the leading cause of viral gastroenteritis worldwide and is also a major cause of food borne illness. It spreads rapidly and causes vomiting and diarrhea that lead to many ED visits. Hopefully this brief episode will enrich the...

  
• 01.24.2023

  Agitation in Neurodivergent Children

  “Neurodivergent” is a term used to describe brain functionality and how it differs in some people. These individuals perceive, interpret and interact with the world in ways that are different than what we typically encounter. The Emergency Department is a...

  
• 01.06.2023

  Commotio Cordis

  Commotio cordis is caused by the blunt impact of a hard object directly over the heart occurring during a specific window of ventricular repolarization leading to immediate collapse, ventricular fibrillation, and cardiac arrest. This episode focuses on risk factors and...

  
• 12.08.2022

  Peritonsillar Abscesses

  Peritonsillar Abscesses are the most common deep neck infection in adolescents and young adults. You will see them in grade schoolers as well. Learn about the diagnosis and management, including making the choice between needle aspiration versus wielding a scalpel...

  
• 12.01.2022

  Tongue Lacerations

  Tongue lacerations are surprisingly common in the Emergency Department. Fortunately most of them don’t require any specific interventions. You just let them go and they heal on their own. Really. But if you do have to repair I offer advice...

  
• 10.27.2022

  Periorbital Cellulitis

  Perioribital cellulitis (AKA Preseptal cellulitis)is a soft tissue infection of the eyelids and skin anterior to the orbit. It must be differentiated from the more invasive and dangerous orbital cellulitis. Treatment varies depending on the original source (sinusitis, local trauma,...

  
• 09.28.2022

  Neutropenic enterocolitis

  Bad things happen when you don’t have enough neutrophils. After getting cytotoxic chemotherapy you tend to have even fewer neutrophils. This can put you at risk for neutropenic enterocolitis which should be suspected in an immunocompromised child with fever and...

  
• 08.11.2022

  Chicken Pox

  Dewdrops on a rose petal. You’ve all heard the description, right? But how many of you have actually seen chicken pox in the wild. And what about monkey pox – does it look the same? How can I tell them...

  
• 07.19.2022

  Hand, Foot, & Mouth Disease

  Hand, Foot, and Mouth (and Butt) disease is incredibly popular in the summer/warm weather months in the Northern Hemisphere (August through October). It is so popular that I guarantee you will see it many times. This brief episode will teach...

  
• 06.21.2022

  Pain management for laceration repair in children

  Laceration repair is one of the quintessential procedures that children undergo in Emergency Departments. Minimizing pain and anxiety for children is a much better idea than just holding them down and getting it done. This episode will teach you all...

  
• 06.02.2022

  Lyme Disease

  Update 6/6/22 – there is ongoing work to determine the optimal treatment for meningitis in Lyme between doxy and ceftriaxone. The original episode recording did not make this clear – my apologies. The 2021 IDSA guideline suggests that you could use either...

  
• 05.11.2022

  Toxic Shock Syndrome

  Toxic Shock Syndrome can be hard to recognize and differentiate from clinical entities such as Kawasaki, MIS-C, and DRESS. This brief podcast episode will raise awareness of situations in which TSS can occur and drive home important management pearls –...

  
• 04.26.2022

  Toxicology Season 3 Episode 3: Iron

  Iron ingestions always show up on standardized tests and are definitely one of those “many kids are fine but some aren’t and it’s hard to figure out who’s fine and who isn’t” ingestions. Suzan Mazor from Seattle Children’s helps iron...

  
• 04.19.2022

  Toxicology Season 3 Episode 2: Calcium Channel Blockers

  Now this is a frightening ingestion! Calcium channel blockers are hard to manage with refractory shock being one of my main “please don’t let this come to the ED” nightmares. Suzan Mazor breaks it all down and discusses management of...

  
• 04.12.2022

  Toxicology Season 3 Episode 1: Bupropion

  There are some scary ingestions out there and I think we’d all agree that bupropion (Wellbutrin) is on the short list of drugs that should make us worry. Learn how to recognize and manage toxicity, especially the neurogenic and cardiac...

  
• 03.25.2022

  Ultrasound for Appendicitis

  This episode of PEM Currents: The Pediatric Emergency Medicine podcast is focused on the use of ultrasound to make the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. You’ll learn about how a right lower quadrant ultrasound is performed, what we look for on...

  
• 03.09.2022

  Nosebleeds

  You will see a child with a nosebleed in the ED. It is a mathematical certainty. Chances are it has already stopped. Even if it hasn’t you can stop it – and figure out why it happened – and provide...

  
• 02.11.2022

  Intussusception

  Any list of “Top 10 Emergency Department diagnoses in children you can’t miss” should include intussusception. This episode reviews the diagnosis and management in practical manner that should help you on your next shift. It also features the talents of...

  
• 01.19.2022

  Urinary retention

  This episode of PEM Currents: The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Podcast is a brief review of the management of urinary retention in children. The most common causes are UTI and constipation – but you must be aware of neurological problems and...

  
• 11.19.2021

  DVT

  Your time is valuable and so is mine. That’s why I’m sharing brief, focused podcast episodes that will hone in on a single problem. This time, it’s deep venous thromboses (DVT). Learn how to suspect them in the first place and...

  
• 11.09.2021

  Stress Dose Steroids

  Your time is valuable and so is mine. That’s why I’m sharing brief, focused podcast episodes that will hone in on a single problem. This time, it’s stress dose steroids. Learn about how to give them and to not worry about...

  
• 11.03.2021

  Ovarian Torsion

  Your time is valuable and so is mine. That’s why I’m sharing brief, focused podcast episodes that will hone in on a single problem. This time, it’s ovarian torsion. Learn about the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of this can’t miss surgical...

  
• 10.29.2021

  Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome

  Your time is valuable and so is mine. That’s why I’m sharing brief, focused podcast episodes that will hone in on a single problem. This time, it’s cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (aka Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome). Learn about the presentation, diagnosis, and...

  
• 10.27.2021

  Firearm Safety

  This episode was produced with Libby Ireson (@LibbyIreson on Twitter), Pediatric Resident at Cincinnati Children’s and is being released in conjunction with the 2021 Day of Action promoting firearm safety and speaking out against gun violence. The goals of this...

  
• 09.01.2021

  Concussions

  Concussions and closed head injuries are incredibly common in the Pediatric Emergency Department and in general Emergency Department, especially as we head into fall contact sports season. In this episode, featuring Brielle Stanton, MD, a Pediatric Emergency Medicine fellow from...

  
• 07.22.2021

  Shoulder Dislocations

  What’s the best maneuver for reducing a dislocated shoulder? My guess is as good as yours. There are multiple maneuvers that work – and work well for anterior (AKA anterior-inferior) dislocations. This episode reviews how to manage shoulder dislocations in...

  
• 07.15.2021

  Finger Dislocations

  It is much more common for children to break a finger than dislocate one. Why? Those darn growth plates. Nevertheless reducing a dislocated digit is one of the most common emergency procedures around and can generally be performed without much...

  
• 07.07.2021

  Patella Dislocations

  Reducing a dislocated patella is super satisfying – both for the clinician and the patient. This episode reviews management of this common orthopedic concern so that you can perform a reduction maneuver without needing to call Orthopedics. PEMBlog.com Follow me on Twitter...

  
• 06.30.2021

  Nursemaid’s Elbow

  Never has there been a more anachronistic name for such a common malady. Hailing from the time when the wealthy had female domestic workers who cared for children within their large household, this outmoded eponym describes a common orthopedic condition...

  
• 06.02.2021

  Adolescent sexual and reproductive health in the ED

  This episode features three members of the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) Adolescent Sexual Health Working Group. PECARN is a network that performs multicenter research related to the emergency care of children. The Adolescent Sexual Health Working Group...

  
• 05.19.2021

  Magnet Ingestions

  This episode focuses on high-powered magnet ingestions in children and was a collaboration with Elizabeth Curtis – @egcurtismd and Libby Ireson – @LibbyIreson, two Categorical Pediatrics Residents at Cincinnati Children’s who served as producers and guest hosts. These rare earth magnets...