The MCG Pediatric Podcast

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other intellectual disabilities have become a hot button topic in both medicine and the news as of late, with recent questions about the multifactorial causes of intellectual disabilities, including genetics. Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician Dr. Kendall Abbas is joined by Liliana Amirhosseini and Zoe Gunthert, two fourth year medical students, to discuss presentation, diagnosis, and management of Fragile X, the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability. Specifically, they will

Special thanks to Dr. Rebecca Yang and Dr. Sarah Straka for peer reviewing this episode.

Free CME available:  Link for CME Credit

References:

Read out and read – How Stories Build Stronger Families

How can a simple book help shape a child’s brain, strengthen family relationships, and promote lifelong learning? In this episode of the Medical College of Georgia Pediatric Podcast, medical student Megan Garrison, pediatric resident Jessie Foglio, and pediatrician Dr. Erica Sapp explore the powerful impact of Reach Out and Read. Learn how shared reading during early childhood supports language development, strengthens caregiver-child bonds, promotes health equity, and gives pediatric healthcare professionals a unique opportunity to support families—one book at a time.

CME available free with sign up:  Link for CME credit

Did you know that the average age of puberty onset in girls has been declining for decades, and that early puberty can have lasting psychological, social, and physical consequences? Roshni Patel, a fourth-year medical student at the Medical College of Georgia, and Bianca Forte, WHNP, a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner with a specialty in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology at Wellstar MCG Health, to discuss the recognition, evaluation, and management of precocious puberty in girls. Specifically, they will:

Special thanks to Dr. Rebecca Yang and Dr. Sarah Straka for peer reviewing this episode

Free CME Available: Link Coming Soon!

References:

Parents and clinicians are often faced with an important question: is anesthesia safe for young children? In this episode, medical student Kaavya Gudapati is joined by Dr. Maria Valeria Carrasquero and Dr. Ana Mavarez to review the current evidence on anesthesia exposure and the developing brain, and to provide practical guidance for clinical decision-making and family counseling. Specifically, they will:

Special thanks to Dr. Heather Byrd and Dr. Rebecca Yang for peer reviewing this episode.

CME available free with sign up: Link coming soon!

References:

1. Vinson AE, Houck CS. Neurotoxicity of Anesthesia in Children: Prevention and Treatment. Curr Treat Options Neurol 2018; 20:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11940-018-0536-Z/TABLES/1.

2. Hansen TG. Anesthesia-related neurotoxicity and the developing animal brain is not a significant problem in children. Pediatric Anesthesia 2015; 25:65–72. https://doi.org/10.1111/PAN.12548.

3. O’Leary JD. Human Studies of Anesthesia-Related Neurotoxicity in Children: A Narrative Review of Recent Additions to the Clinical Literature. Clin Perinatol 2019; 46:637–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clp.2019.08.001.

4. FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA review results in new warnings about using general anesthetics and sedation drugs in young children and pregnant women | FDA n.d. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-drug-safety-communication-fda-review-results-new-warnings-about-using-general-anesthetics-and (accessed August 28, 2025).

5. FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA approves label changes for use of general anesthetic and sedation drugs in young children | FDA n.d. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-drug-safety-communication-fda-approves-label-changes-use-general-anesthetic-and-sedation-drugs (accessed August 28, 2025).

6. SmartTots. SmartTots consensus statement on the use of anesthetic and sedative drugs in infants and toddlers.Published 2015. Updated 2017. Accessed September 17, 2025. https://smarttots.org

7. Sun LS, Li G, Miller TLK, Salorio C, Byrne MW, Bellinger DC, et al. Association between a single general anesthesia exposure before age 36 months and neurocognitive outcomes in later childhood. JAMA - Journal of the American Medical Association 2016; 315:2312–20. https://doi.org/10.1001/JAMA.2016.6967.

8. Warner DO, Zaccariello MJ, Katusic SK, Schroeder DR, Hanson AC, Schulte PJ, et al. Neuropsychological and behavioral outcomes after exposure of young children to procedures requiring general anesthesia: The mayo anesthesia safety in kids (MASK) study. Anesthesiology 2018; 129:89–105. https://doi.org/10.1097/ALN.0000000000002232.

9. McCann ME, Berde C, Soriano S, Marmor J, Bellinger D, de Graaff JC, et al. Neurodevelopmental outcome at 5 years of age after general anaesthesia or awake-regional anaesthesia in infancy (GAS): an international, multicenter, randomised controlled equivalence trial. Lancet 2019; 393:664. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32485-1.

10. Davidson AJ, Disma N, de Graaff JC, Withington DE, Dorris L, Bell G, et al. Neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of age after general anaesthesia and awake-regional anaesthesia in infancy (GAS): An international multicentre, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet 2016; 387:239–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)00608-X.

11. Reighard C, Junaid S, Jackson WM, Arif A, Waddington H, Whitehouse AJO, et al. Anesthetic Exposure During Childhood and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open 2022;5: e2217427. https://doi.org/10.1001/JAMANETWORKOPEN.2022.17427.

12. Jadhav U, Bhanushali J, Sindhu A, Shiv Kiran Reddy B, Toshniwal A, Rashmika M. A Comprehensive Review of Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea: From Assessment to Intervention 2025. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.78051.

13. Andropoulos DB. Neuroprotective strategies in anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity. Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol 2023; 37:52–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BPA.2022.11.005.

14. Ji F, Sun J, Sun L, et al. Effects of Dexmedetomidine and Remifentanil on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes After Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Infants: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Anesthesiology. 2025. 143(4), 827–834. https://doi.org/10.1097/ALN.0000000000005634

15. Saynhalath, R, Disma, N, Taverner, FJ et al. on behalf of the TREX (Trial Remifentanil DEXmedetomidine) Consortium. Short-term Outcomes in Infants after General Anesthesia with Low-dose Sevoflurane/Dexmedetomidine/Remifentanil versus Standard-dose Sevoflurane (the TREX Trial). Anesthesiology 141(6): p 1075-1085, December 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000005232

16. Ing C, Warner DO, Sun LS, Flick RP, Davidson AJ, Vutskits L, McCann ME, O'Leary J, Bellinger DC, Rauh V, Orser BA, Suresh S, Andropoulos DB. Anesthesia and Developing Brains: Unanswered Questions and Proposed Paths Forward. Anesthesiology. 2022 Mar 1;136(3):500-512. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000004116. PMID: 35015802.

Did you know that a single crumb of bread is enough to cause an autoimmune response in children with celiac disease? Dr. Pankaj Vohra, Professor of Pediatrics and Board-Certified Pediatric Gastroenterologist, joins medical student Andrea Smith to discuss the evaluation and management of celiac disease, as well as essential guidance for following a gluten-free diet. Specifically, they will:

Special thanks to Dr. Rebecca Yang and Dr. Neeharika Bade for peer reviewing this episode.

CME available free with sign up:  https://mcg.cloud-cme.com/course/courseoverview?P=0&EID=25562

References:

Did you know that congenital heart defects (CHDs) affect nearly 40,000 babies born in the United States every year?

On this episode, Pediatric Cardiologist Dr. Melissa Lefebvre and medical student Marina Hashim discuss the evaluation and management of common acyanotic congenital heart conditions. Specifically, they will:

Special thanks to Dr. Rebecca Yang and Dr. Abeer Hamdy for peer reviewing this episode.

CME available free with sign up:  Click Here!

References:

Join medical students Binal Patel and Aashka Sheth as they discuss adolescent gynecology with pediatrician Dr. Shreeti Kapoor.  Specifically, they will discuss:

References:

21 reasons to see a gynecologist before you turn 21. ACOG. (n.d.). https://www.acog.org/womens-health/infographics/21-reasons-to-see-a-gynecologist-before-you-turn-21  

Adams Hillard P. J. (2008). Menstruation in adolescents: what's normal?. Medscape journal of medicine, 10(12), 295. 

Breehl L, Caban O. Physiology, Puberty. [Updated 2023 Mar 27]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534827/ 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). About heavy menstrual bleeding. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/female-blood-disorders/about/heavy-menstrual-bleeding.html 

Primary dysmenorrhea in adolescents. UpToDate. (n.d.). https://www.uptodate.com/contents/primary-dysmenorrhea-in-adolescents?search=Primary+Dysmenorrhea+&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=2 

professional, C. C. medical. (2024, September 20). Pediatric gynecology. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24574-pediatric-gynecology 

professional, C. C. medical. (2025, February 18). Puberty. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/puberty  

Sachedin, A., & Todd, N. (2020). Dysmenorrhea, endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain in adolescents. Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology, 12(1), 7–17. https://doi.org/10.4274/jcrpe.galenos.2019.2019.s0217  

Sexuality, Sexual Health, and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Adolescents and Young Adults. (2020). Topics in Antiviral Medicine, 28(2). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7482983/pdf/tam-28-459.pdf  

UpToDate. (n.d.). Abnormal uterine bleeding in adolescents. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/abnormal-uterine-bleeding-in-adolescents-evaluation-and-approach-to-diagnosis?search=heavy%2Bbleeding&usage_type=default&source=search_result&selectedTitle=3~150&display_rank=3  

Did you know that Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects approximately 1 in 200 children, with symptoms often emerging between the ages of 7 and 12? As pediatricians, you're likely the first to encounter these patients, making early recognition and intervention critical for achieving optimal outcomes. In this episode, we’ll provide you with the knowledge and tools nee ded to accurately diagnose and effectively manage OCD, laying the foundation for better long-term care.

Dr. Theresa Fiagbe, a second-year Child Psychiatry Fellow, Dr. Dale Peeples, Associate Professor of Child Psychiatry, and Alisha Patel, Medical Student at the Medical College of Georgia, join forces to unpack the complexities of OCD in children and adolescents.

Tune in as we:

Whether you're encountering OCD symptoms in a patient for the first time or seeking to enhance your expertise, this episode will equip you with the essential tools to improve diagnosis and treatment. Special thanks to Dr. Yang for editing and Dr. Sarah Straka, and Dr. Baris Olten for peer reviewing this episode.

CME Credit Available: 

https://mcg.cloud-cme.com/course/courseoverview?P=0&EID=25556

References:

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.

Berman, L., & Flessner, C. A. (2014). Pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder: Diagnostic and treatment issues. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 53(2), 123-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2013.10.003

Clark, C. A., & Scharf, R. (2020). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents: Current trends and future directions. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 59(9), 971-979. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2020.05.007

Fahrion, S., & Goodwin, G. M. (2019). Pharmacological treatment of pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder: SSRIs, clomipramine, and beyond. Current Psychiatry Reports, 21(8), 58-66.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-1040-3

Franklin, M. E., & March, J. S. (2015). Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents.

Pediatric Clinics of North America, 62(3), 529-545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcl.2015.02.004

March, J. S., & Mulle, K. (2017). OCD in children and adolescents: A review of treatments and practical guidance. The Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 40(2), 199-208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2017.01.002

Murphy, T. K., & Pincus, D. B. (2019). Pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder: Diagnosis, treatment, and future directions. Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 31(4), 517-524. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOP.0000000000000801

PANDA Study Group. (2017). Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal

infections (PANDAS). Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 56(11), 933-940. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2017.07.866

Peris, T. S., & Piacentini, J. (2021). Pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder: Treatment strategies and challenges. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 50(1), 32-43. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2020.1831504

Reaven, J. (2018). Screening for pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder: Tools, guidelines, and challenges.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 23(3), 133-139. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12267

Thienemann, M., & McGuire, L. (2019). Treating pediatric OCD with a focus on cognitive-behavioral therapy: Evidence and efficacy. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 48(4), 530-538. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2019.1612851

Did you know that congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the most common congenital viral infection in newborns and a leading cause of non-genetic hearing loss? Despite its prevalence, awareness and screening for cCMV remain inconsistent across healthcare systems. In this episode, we dive into the critical importance of cCMV screening, early diagnosis, and intervention. Join our expert guests Dr. Ingrid Camelo and Dr. John Noel as they discuss:

Tune in to stay informed on how pediatricians and healthcare providers can play a vital role in improving outcomes for infants affected by cCMV.

Special thanks to Dr. James Grubbs for peer reviewing this episode.

CME Credit (requires free sign up): Link Coming Soon!

References: 

The adolescent population is experiencing increasing pressure to take part in sexual activity. It is part of our role as pediatricians to counsel our patients appropriately & thoroughly through their sexual & reproductive health. Dr. Shreeti Kapoor, a general pediatrician, joins Pediatric Resident Dani Watson & MS3 Irielle Duncan to discuss contraception options & how to have those conversations with adolescent patients. Specifically, they will:

Special thanks to Drs. Rebecca Yang & Danielle Rosema for peer reviewing this episode.

CME Credit (requires free sign up):  Click Here

References: