Charting Pediatrics

Circumcision is one of the most common procedures performed in newborns. For such a frequent procedure, it can stir up big conversations in the primary care office. How do you help families make informed decisions? What  technique  details really matter?  What's  the role of the pediatrician when something  doesn't  look quite right in the days that follow?  In this episode,  we're  unpacking the...

A growth charts tell a story long before a child can. A sudden dip, a stubborn plateau, a pubertal spurt  that arrives too early ,  or too late ,  can spark big questions. From short stature to rapid pub erty ,  it's  time to unpack the patt erns,  pi tfalls  and possibilities behind pediatric growth. We want to help you sor t the  reas suring  from the concerning and recognize when an endocrinolo...

When addressing   obesity  in the clinic,  it's  common to ask patients to focus on food and exercise.   B ut  w hat if we think upstream of the clinical problem and consider the environments, habits and systems that shape health from the very beginning? In this episode, we sit down with an expert whose research has focused on building resilience against obesity starting early in life. From family...

Joint pain is a common concern in pediatric  practice .  If a child is limping after sports or describes vagu e aches and pains, it often points to a minor injury or a self-limited condition.  But in some cases, joint pain may signal something more serious. The challenge for pediatricians is knowing how to distinguish benign, mechanical causes from  symptoms  that  warrant  further evaluation. In...

Anxiety in children can  serve as a safeguard  or  become  profoundly disruptive. For pediatricians,  distinguishing  between  developmentally   appropriate  worry , generalized anxiety disorder  and clinically significant anxiety is rare ly  straightforward. In this episode, we explore how  anxiety  presents across childhood, why it is more than "just nerves" and how pediatricians can play a ke y...

From a newborn's first trip home  to the day a teenager buckles into the driver's  seat,  car rides are milestones throughout childhood. Between those moments lie years of transition: rear-facing to forward-facing seats, boosters to seat belts, and countless opportunities for confusion,  error  and learning. This episode breaks down the latest recommendations in child passenger safety, addresses c...

In pediatric practice, few topics are as foundational and scientifically grounded as vaccinations. This season, a major shift in federal vaccine advisory guidance has sparked fresh discussion about how we protect infants from hepatitis B. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention's advisory committee on immunization practices voted to revise the more than 30-year guidance around the universal...

Food is more than fuel.  Its  culture, comfort,  connection  and, increasingly,  a source  of confusion  for families .  Parents  ask  questions shaped by headlines,  influencers  and evolving dietary guidelines.  Pediatricians  aren't  simply  monitoring  growth  curves,  they are helping families navigate a complex  nutrition  environment that influences children's health  no w  and long into ad...

Water is essential to a child's health, making up the majority of their body weight. But when illness or heat disrupts that balance, dehydration can set in quickly and dangerously. Despite being one of the most common pediatric issues, the simplest and most effective solution often goes unnoticed: oral rehydration . In this episode, we'll shine a light on this powerful yet underused therapy. From...

Childhood obesity management has evolved far beyond the traditional advice of "eat healthier and move more." Today's clinical toolbox includes GLP-1 medications, behavioral health interventions, multidisciplinary lifestyle programs and bariatric surgery. These evidence-based tools can be complex, nuanced, and sometimes controversial, but they share a common goal: supporting young people in achievi...

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 ev...

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 throu...

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 th...

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 fr...

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...

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, hydroce...

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 A merican Academy of Pedi...

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...

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...

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....

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 Christi...

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 m...

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...

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...

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 dermatol...