Smartphones and tablets have become part of daily life for children and families, but their influence on sleep, attention, mood and overall development is increasingly under the microscope. From overstimulation and disrupted sleep patterns to rising concerns about anxiety and attention regulation, the research around screen time is rapidly evolving. In this episode, we take a closer look at the evidence behind how screens are shaping childhood and explore what pediatricians can do to help famili...
Nov 25, 2025•30 min•Season 9Ep. 17
Recently, leucovorin and acetaminophen have been at the center of new discussions in pediatric medicine. Could leucovorin really help some children with autism? Does the latest evidence suggest acetaminophen has any impact on neurodevelopment? In today's episode, we'll break down what the science actually tells us, what remains uncertain and how pediatricians can confidently guide families through these complex topics. Joining us for this important discussion is Abigail Angulo, MD . She is a dev...
Nov 20, 2025•36 min•Season 9Ep. 16
Not every episode that looks like a seizure is one, and for pediatricians, distinguishing the difference can be challenging. Few moments in the clinic can feel as urgent, or as uncertain, as evaluating spells. In this episode, we unravel the mysteries of seizures and their mimics to prevent misdiagnosis and avoid unnecessary intervention. This episode was recorded on the exhibit floor at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics Conference in Denver, Colorado. Joining us is Shavonne Massey, MD . S...
Nov 18, 2025•28 min•Season 9Ep. 15
Behind every medical breakthrough for kids is usually a long history of research advances. Research is incremental, and new therapies exist, thanks to questions that are asked in science laboratories. Those investigators not only asked the hard questions but also found the funding to answer them. What happens when that funding starts to disappear? Research drives progress in pediatric medicine from vaccines to breakthrough treatments for rare diseases. That progress is currently at risk. Cuts an...
Nov 11, 2025•29 min•Season 9Ep. 14
From playground falls to sports injuries, oral trauma is part of growing up. But when a tooth gets chipped, knocked out or a lip is cut, it can be stressful for families and challenging for providers. In this episode, we take a closer look at pediatric dental and oral trauma from the primary care perspective. We are focusing on what to look for, when to act and how to guide families through those anxious first moments after an injury. This episode was recorded on the exhibit floor at the 2025 Am...
Nov 04, 2025•27 min•Season 9Ep. 13
Groin bulges, scrotal swelling, and nonpalpable testes are findings that often surface during routine well-child exams, and they can raise immediate questions for pediatricians and families alike. Is this normal? Will it resolve on its own? Or does it require surgical referral? In this episode, we take a closer look at three common genitourinary conditions in children: inguinal hernias, hydroceles, and undescended testes. We diagnose the details to help clarify the evaluation process, management...
Oct 28, 2025•38 min•Season 9Ep. 12
The childhood immunization schedule is one of the defining pillars of pediatric practice and remains among the most successful public health achievements of the modern era. Yet, in recent months, the schedule and the systems that support it have faced new challenges, raising serious concerns for pediatricians across the country. This episode was recorded live at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference in Denver, Colorado. In this episode, we discuss the latest AAP vaccine upd...
Oct 21, 2025•30 min•Season 9Ep. 11
Ocular complaints in children, such as a red or painful eye, sudden vision changes, or difficulty opening one eye, may be more than a minor concern. In pediatrics, these presentations can progress rapidly, and timely recognition is critical to preventing long-term vision impairment. A focused five-minute eye examination can often distinguish between emergent, urgent and routine conditions, making early assessment and intervention essential in the primary care setting. This episode was recorded o...
Oct 14, 2025•25 min•Season 9Ep. 10
Enuresis, or bedwetting, is one of the most common concerns encountered in pediatrics. It can present as nighttime bedwetting, daytime urinary accidents, or a combination of both. Oftentimes, families and clinicians are left wondering what's typical and what's considered concerning. In this episode, we focus on the evaluation and management of enuresis in children. Each case is influenced by a range of factors including fluid intake, bowel habits, sleep quality and lifestyle routines. While firs...
Oct 07, 2025•35 min•Season 9Ep. 9
While asthma may be the most common chronic disease in pediatrics, it never feels routine for medical professionals. In the primary care setting, pediatricians carry the challenge and opportunity of turning this common condition into a well-managed part of daily life. In this episode, we'll dig into tools, strategies and insights that help us move from reactive treatment to proactive partnerships. The goal is for kids to focus less on their breathing and more on being kids. For this episode, we ...
Sep 30, 2025•38 min•Season 9Ep. 8
Constipation is one of the most common conditions that pediatricians see. From the toddler squirming on the exam table to the school-aged child with recurring belly pain, functional constipation is everywhere in pediatric primary care. In this episode, we will discuss how to diagnose, when additional testing is needed and treatment strategies that work. Joining us for this episode is Christine Waasdorp-Hurtado, MD. She is a pediatric gastroenterologist, the Southern Colorado Executive Faculty Di...
Sep 23, 2025•31 min•Season 9Ep. 7
Imagine your body as a complex orchestra. Every hormone playing its part in harmony. When one section falls out of sync, the entire performance shifts. That's what happens with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), especially in adolescents. During puberty, hormones are already in flux, and PCOS can add another layer of challenges. Irregular periods, acne, excess hair growth, and weight gain are more than frustrating symptoms, they're signs of an underlying hormonal imbalance that deserves attention...
Sep 16, 2025•29 min•Season 9Ep. 6
Whether it's a bump, a blow, or a moment of confusion, concussions in kids don't always look dramatic, but the impact can be significant. When parents start to worry and question what injury lies beneath the surface, pediatricians are typically the first phone call or visit. With evolving guidelines and pressure to clear kids for school and sports, what is the right call? In this episode, we will break down what every clinician should know about concussions including how to spot them, how to man...
Sep 09, 2025•28 min•Season 9Ep. 5
Every parent dreams of the perfect bedtime routine: a quick story, a goodnight kiss, and lights out until morning. But real life? Toddlers fight sleep with boundless energy, grade-schoolers push for one more story and teens stay up late scrolling TikTok. Sleep problems in children and teens are common, but pediatricians can play a key role in guiding families toward better rest. In this episode, we explore how to help kids sleep better at every age. From gentle sleep training strategies for youn...
Sep 02, 2025•28 min•Season 9Ep. 4
For kids with eczema the discomfort of dry patches, constant itching and sleepless nights, can be relentless. For their parents, the search for answers is as well. In this episode, we're scratching beneath the surface of one of the most common skin conditions in pediatrics. We'll explore how to spot triggers, calm flare-ups, choose the right treatments and know when it's time to call in a dermatologist. Whether it's helping a toddler stop scratching or giving a teen the confidence to ditch the l...
Aug 26, 2025•29 min•Season 9Ep. 3
For many teenagers, acne is always top of mind. At the doctor's office, it's not uncommon for teens to ask about their skin during a visit. With teenage patients, we're not just treating acne. We're also treating their self-esteem. In the wild world of acne, clogged pores meet hormonal havoc. Patients often want magic, and providers need a plan. In this episode, we extract the evidence and apply the right topical clinical wisdom to help manage acne in the office. Joining us for this episode is t...
Aug 19, 2025•28 min•Season 9Ep. 2
Asking questions about mental health is not easy. What's even harder is asking those questions well. But here's the truth: community providers are uniquely positioned to spot the early warning signs of mental health struggles, including suicide risk. In fact, youth who attempt or die by suicide are far more likely to have contact with their PCP compared to a mental health provider in the months leading up to the event. Are providers identifying kids at risk? Are they asking the right questions i...
Aug 12, 2025•30 min•Season 9Ep. 1
Migraines aren't just 'bad headaches,' and they don't always present with pain. Every migraine is different, and they can present with a wide range of symptoms from dizzy spells to abdominal pain. In this episode, we aim to bring clarity to the complexity of migraines, exploring the latest research, clinical signs and possible interventions. Marcy Yonker, MD, Director of the Pediatric Headache Program at Children's Colorado joins us for this episode. Dr. Yonker is the Francescon Endowed Chair in...
Aug 05, 2025•37 min•Season 8Ep. 50
Celiac disease in kids is more common than you think, and often harder to spot than you'd expect. Celiac disease affects about 1 in 100 people globally, yet studies suggest as many as 80% of cases remain undiagnosed. For many community providers around the globe, it's a diagnosis that certainly feels like it's become much more prevalent in both diagnosis rates and public awareness in recent years. There is no 'growing out' of celiac disease, so that diagnosis for our kiddos is the beginning of a...
Jul 29, 2025•30 min•Season 8Ep. 49
When it comes to babies, there is one true common denominator for new parents — poop. While it's one of the first things parents can fixate over, pediatricians know what's in the diaper can say a lot about what's going on inside that tiny body. From understanding different stool colors and consistency, to the difference in diaper contents between breast-fed and formula-fed babies, there's a lot to learn about baby poop. This episode was recorded on the exhibit floor at the 2025 Pediatric Academi...
Jul 22, 2025•26 min•Season 8Ep. 48
The menstrual cycle is as regular as clockwork, or at least it should be. But for many adolescent patients, what should be a manageable monthly event turns into a full-blown disruptor of school, sports, sleep and sanity. As we explore the world of adolescent gynecology, we take a closer look at the intricate details: how cramps can hide endometriosis and 'normal' isn't always what it seems. These symptoms are not just part of puberty. These are signals that deserve attention, validation, and tho...
Jul 15, 2025•29 min•Season 8Ep. 47
Screening for hip dysplasia in infants can make a big difference in their outcomes. Still, we know there are kids that fall through the cracks and later present with pain. Early detection of this condition is critical from a developmental standpoint, and proper therapy can guide those patients towards a pain free and active life. To help us uncover all we need to know about hip dysplasia, we are joined by Erika Valentine, MD . She is a pediatric orthopedist at Children's Colorado and is an Assis...
Jul 08, 2025•25 min•Season 8Ep. 46
Parents often turn to their child's primary care physician for guidance on illnesses, developmental delays, or other health concerns. ADHD is no exception. In this episode, we're diving into the crucial role pediatricians play in recognizing and managing ADHD. We're giving you real-world tools to support real-world kids. This episode was recorded on the exhibit floor at the 2025 Pediatric Academic Societies Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii. Joining us for this episode is Jennifer Walton, MD, the S...
Jul 01, 2025•35 min•Season 8Ep. 45
Some topics in pediatrics are flashy — like seizures, mystery rashes and fevers. While those often make headlines, others, like pediatric nephrology, are a routine but critical part of daily practice. Understanding these bread-and-butter issues is essential to diagnosing so many patients. Protein in the urine, blood pressure creeping up or a UTI that is more than 'just a UTI' are often signs that something may be wrong with the kidneys. In this episode, we examine those practical essentials and ...
Jun 24, 2025•39 min•Season 8Ep. 44
Picture this: A new parent is changing the diaper of their one-month-old infant when they notice streaks of blood. That's when panic sets in, followed by frantic calls to the pediatrician's office. But is this always a cause for alarm? In this episode, our gastroenterologists are on the case. We're talking about allergic proctitis in infants. They will help you recognize and manage this common newborn issue so you can support families. Joining us for this episode is Mason Nistel, MD . He special...
Jun 17, 2025•24 min•Season 8Ep. 43
Every kid is unique with their own distinct personality and behavior. But at what point should a child's behavior become a cause for concern? From anxiety and tantrums to challenges at school and issues with sleep, pediatricians frequently encounter a wide range of behavioral concerns. This episode was recorded at the 2025 Pediatric Academic Societies Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii. In this episode of Charting Pediatrics, we are joined by Stephanie Weber, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist a...
Jun 10, 2025•28 min•Season 8Ep. 42
Pediatricians are superheroes in scrubs, baby whisperers, teen translators and guardians of growing minds and bodies. But even heroes need reinforcements. The pediatric workforce crisis has made a prominent impact on the healthcare community including staff shortages, jam-packed schedules, long wait times, frustrated patient families and fewer new doctors joining the ranks. In this episode, we examine what's really going on. If we understand what's driving the shortage and discuss what we can do...
Jun 03, 2025•29 min•Season 8Ep. 41
As medical and surgical treatment of congenital heart lesions improve, the vast majority of babies born with heart problems are living long and productive lives. While it is remarkable, it also brings new challenges for their care, especially during the critical transition to adulthood. A new medical specialty has developed to address this specific need, driven by the growing demand for expertise in the lifelong care of patients with congenital heart lesions. To unpack this topic, we are joined ...
May 27, 2025•28 min•Season 8Ep. 40
Charting Pediatrics has created a space where community care meets real-world challenges. Whether we realize it or not, trauma-informed care touches everything we do as pediatricians. What does it mean to really be trauma-informed? How do we create safer, more supportive environments for everyone, especially those carrying invisible wounds? In this episode, we explore how community providers can be a powerful part of healing, not harm. This episode was recorded on the exhibit floor at the 2025 P...
May 20, 2025•29 min•Season 8Ep. 39
Feeding a baby isn't one-size-fits-all, and neither is formula. That's why community providers need to be prepared to navigate options with families, bust common myths and offer practical support through the first year of feeding. In this episode, we're breaking down the basics and digging deeper to understand formula. When it comes to feeding babies, family knowledge and support matters just as much as what's in the bottle. This episode was recorded on the exhibit floor at the 2025 Pediatric Ac...
May 13, 2025•29 min•Season 8Ep. 38
