The Lead in Peds

Endocrinologist Andrew Dauber, MD, lives the Children's National Hospital motto—Grow Up Stronger—every single day. When many families of children with short stature and rare genetic growth disorders reach his clinic, they've found that traditional treatments have offered limited success and Dr. Dauber often has innovative ideas. Our host, Nathan Kuppermann, MD, MPH, chief academic officer and chair of Pediatrics, is joined by Dr. Dauber, chief of Endocrinology and a national leader in this specialty, to discuss how researchers are unlocking genetic answers and developing novel therapies. This includes the first-ever vosoritide trial for hypochondroplasia and our revolutionary, personalized study for a single patient. Discover how science is reshaping pediatric endocrinology and offering hope to families worldwide. Plus, hear an endocrinologist's hot take on donuts!

Congenital heart disease isn't just a childhood condition—it's a lifelong journey. Our host, Nathan Kuppermann, MD, MPH, chief academic officer and chair of Pediatrics, sits down with two world-renowned pediatric cardiology experts to explore how pioneering care at Children's National Hospital starts as early as the first trimester and continues into adulthood. Wayne Franklin, MD, senior vice president of the Heart Center, and Mary Donofrio, MD, medical director of the Prenatal Cardiology Program, dive into the power of prenatal detection and risk-based birth plans, the promise of advanced fetal imaging and real-time monitoring, and how innovation and artificial intelligence are reshaping care to help kids with congenital heart disease grow into strong adults. Plus, Dr. Donofrio's tips on the Washington, D.C., dining scene—because great food is part of great medicine.

In 2023, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported significant rates of adolescent substance use: over 10% of 8th graders, nearly 20% of 10th graders and more than 30% of 12th graders used illicit drugs. With the ongoing fentanyl and opioid epidemic, the need for specialized pediatric addiction care has never been more urgent. Recognizing this gap, Children's National Hospital launched one of the region's few programs dedicated to pediatric addiction. In this episode, our host, Nathan Kuppermann, MD, MPH, chief academic officer and chair of Pediatrics, is joined by Siva Kaliamurthy, MD, director of the Addictions Program at Children's National to explore the challenges of treating addiction in children, the evolving role of parents and the latest advancements in addiction care. Plus, the unexpected career path these two doctors once considered—one that involved a different kind of team and a much larger arena.