Charting Pediatrics

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 episod...

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-pa cked schedules, long wait times, frustrated patient families and fewer new doctors joining the ranks. In this episode, we ex...

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 t o adulthood. A new medical specialty has developed to address this specific need , driven by the growing demand for experti...

Charting Pediatrics has created a space where community care meets real-world challenges. W hether 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...

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 b reaking down the basics and digging deeper to understand formula . W hen it comes to feeding babies, family knowledge and support matters just...

The heart is an involved organ in many syndromes impacting kids . O ur understanding of the genetic underpinnings of pediatric heart conditions has improved greatly with better access to genetic testing. From inherited arrythmias to structural congenital heart defects, genetic testing is becoming an essential part of the diagnosis, treatment and family counseling in kids with heart problems. To he...

A common yet often misunderstood infection is popping up in different corners of our community. Mycoplasma pneumonia, otherwise referred to as walking pneumonia, can present in a way that's subtle and sneaky, with a plethora of symptoms . This 'silent' infection can fly under the radar leaving both patients and providers puzzled , but we want to make sure our listeners feel prepared to tackle this...

Cannabis use in children and adolescents is a growing concern as more young people are regularly using the subs tance and as more states legal ize it . W hat happens when parents, caregivers, healthcare providers or even the teens themselves decide it's time to stop?  In this episode, we will explore important tactics primary care providers can utilize to help families navigate the medical, psycho...

As the political climate shifts in 2025, there are important discussions around Medicaid, mental health and executive orders that will impact our kids. From Medicaid eligibility changes to funding cuts, to benefit adjustments, the political forces shaping healthcare may have profound effects on both our patients and providers. In this episode, we examine the current state of affairs and answer que...

Down Syndrome is a condition defined by an extra chromosome but beyond the genetics lies a rich, complex story of individuals, families and communities who continue to challenge misconceptions and pave the way for greater understanding and inclusion. In this episode, we'll explore the latest treatments and research, the relationship between specialist and provider and all the opportunities that co...

A highly contagious virus, once thought to be nearly eradicated, has made a comeback. Measles is affecting even our youngest patients in communities around the country and putting vulnerable populations at risk. Our primary care providers are on the frontlines of this resurgence. It's crucial they feel prepared to vaccinate patients, educate families and respond effectively. To discuss the current...

Most peo ple believe that strokes only affect adults, but children can experience them too. Although rare, strokes in kids can lead to catastrophic outcomes if not treated properly. S eizure or migraine s are often misdiagnosed in this population , making it crucial to have proper protocols in place. While many never think of stroke as something that can impact kids, it's still i n the top 10 caus...

It's been a busy year for influenza cases , but it's not what we've seen in our clinics and hospitals that has infectious disease experts most worried. They are concerned about avian flu, otherwise known as the H5N1 subtype of influenza A. Specifically, they are worried about stress what happens if H5N1 jumps to humans and potentially spreads. What is that risk for people and what challenges lie a...

Firearms are the leading cause of death of kids in the United States, and in C olorado , there is at least one pediatric injury from a gun every day. In 2021, Colorado passed the safe storage bill which requires firearms to be safely store d when minors are present in the home. D espite this, many people don't know how to provide the safest environment for children. P ediatricians can play a uniqu...

One of  humanity's frailties i s our tendency to view the world through the lens of what we've seen, lived through or experienced firsthand. That's not to say we ignore things that happen ed in the past, but we may not give historical events equal weight or importance when compared to current events . In medicine, it's important for us to recognize the vaccine preventable diseases we combatted in...

Every child has an individual h ealthcare experience , but for marginalized communities like migrant families, the y face some unique challenges in our healthcare system . F rom dealing with trauma to navigating a language barrier , working to get the right care can be complicated . At this year's annual Children's Hospital Colorado p odcast l ive e vent, Charting Pediatrics took a close look at t...

Advances in technology, medical knowledge and the establishment of pediatric tracheary care institution s ha ve helped revolutionize pediatric otolaryngology . For specialists in this field , watching the growth unfold has been an exciting adventure they've experienced firsthand while working on the frontlines. From genetic testing to targeted therapy and new procedures, the options are now vast c...

Picture this: Y ou travel to the mountains, excited to take on your next big adventure, only to find yourse lf breathles s , your stomach is churning and in the morning your head is throbbing. It's altitude sickness, otherwise known as acute mountain sickness. Here in Colorado, our mountain doctors experience this regularly, but patients don't always realize why they're experiencing these symptoms...

Every year, thousands of people are added to organ transplant waiting lists, but not all patients have equal access to the life-saving procedures they desperately need. As transplant programs around the world continue to expand and improve , it's important for healthcare providers to consider potential disparities in care, all while working hard to create an even playing field for patients . Socio...

Anaphylaxis  is a serious, systemic hypersensitivity reaction with rapid onset and can be potentially fatal. It is frightening for patients, families and medical providers. Currently, the st andard treatment is epinephrine as an injectio n. At this very moment, we are on the cusp of transforming how we treat severe allergic reactions. If approved by the FDA, a new sublingual form of epinephrine wo...

Podcasts have become one of the most popular content mediums, captivating millions worldwide. Their convenient, on-the-go format allows people to multitask while they listen. From entertainment to education, podcasts are changing the way people engage and interact with information. In medicine, they are changing the way residents are able to learn.   In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Christoph...

  Around the country and across the globe, children's hospitals play an essential role in kid' s health and well-being. They provide specialized care, crucial research, essential educatio n and vital community outreach. As we kick off the new year, we take a deep dive into the evolving child health landscape to better understand what issues our patient families are currently facing and identif y s...

  It's hard to fathom why certain children receive life altering diagnoses . P ediatricians simply want to help , and that help usually comes in the form of early diagnosis. Duchen n e m uscular d ystrophy, otherwise known as Duchenne or DMD , is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed in childhood, affecting approximately one in every 5,000 live male births. Early screening and identific...

  Pediatricians  don't often screen children and adolescents for a lipid profile, a n important tool for identifying cardiovascular disease . Cardiovascular disease is considered a life-course condition, meaning it can begin in chi ldhood, so why aren't we screening kids more regularly? Does early intervention make sense for some kids? In this episode, we discuss cholesterol, family history, genet...

In this special h oliday episode, we reflect on our favorite epi sodes from the past year and look forward to the year ahead. From all of us at Children's Hospital Colorado, we wish you a happy holiday season. Charting Pediatrics would not be the success it is today without your support, wonderful topic ideas and intrigue. It's providers like you who are changing pediatric healthcare around the wo...