Virtual Curbside

In this episode, we turn our focus to allergic conjunctivitis. Host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP and Ophthalmologist Mitchell Strominger, MD guests review the clinical features of ocular allergy and discuss how characteristics such as discharge and symptom patterns can help distinguish allergic conjunctivitis from viral, bacterial, and other etiologies. The conversation also covers important mimics and r...

This week’s episode focuses on bacterial conjunctivitis and practical considerations for pediatric care. Host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP and Ophthalmologist Mitchell Strominger, MD discuss key principles of infection control, how to recognize concerning findings and distinguish uncomplicated conjunctivitis from more serious conditions such as orbital cellulitis, and when escalation of care is necessary...

This month we begin a new series on common pediatric eye issues, starting with viral conjunctivitis. In this episode, host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP and Ophthalmologist Mitchell Strominger, MD review the clinical features that help distinguish viral conjunctivitis from other causes of red and pink eye, discuss typical disease course, and address common misconceptions around treatment and contagion. Th...

In months with five weeks, The Virtual Curbside steps away from clinical topics for a pediatric book club discussion. This month, we explore The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives by Ned Johnson and William Stixrud. Our hosts Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP and Angelo Giardino, MD, FAAP, reflect on the science behind autonomy, stress, and motivation, a...

In this Q&A episode, host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP and guest Tim Bahr, MD, FAAP address important clinical questions surrounding hyperbilirubinemia, with a focus on longer-term complications and complex presentations. The discussion explores outcomes associated with severe or prolonged hyperbilirubinemia, including cases with late presentation or persistent jaundice, and how these scenarios may d...

In Episode 3 of our hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) series, host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP and guest Tim Bahr, MD, FAAP focus on clinical management and emerging consensus around care. Our discussion reviews key elements of the recently published consensus paper, including proposed guidelines for evaluation, monitoring, and treatment across the perinatal and neonatal periods. They ad...

This week’s episode host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP and guest Tim Bahr, MD, FAAP take a deep dive into evaluating newborn jaundice and identifying early signs of hemolysis. We walk through the key elements of maternal testing that set the stage for newborn risk assessment, then explore how to interpret bilirubin trajectories to distinguish normal patterns from concerning trends. Our guests also review...

This week’s episode focuses on alloimmunization the prevention of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). Our host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP and Tim Bahr, MD break down the immunologic mechanisms behind HDFN, discuss how maternal sensitization occurs, and explain why timely screening and prophylaxis are essential. We review current recommendations, practical considerations for pediatric and...

In this Q&A episode, host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP and Shawn Mendenhall, MD address common clinical questions related to managing upper extremity spasticity in children. The conversation explores how to balance orthopedic readiness and bone maturity with developmental readiness and family goals - highlighting the importance of individualized timing and shared decision-making. They also discuss th...

In the third episode of our upper extremity spasticity series, host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP and Shawn Mendenhall, MD focus on what success truly looks like - both in the short term and long term. Our guests discuss how to measure meaningful outcomes for children, from functional gains to improved comfort and participation in daily activities. We also look ahead to the future of spasticity care, expl...

In this episode, host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP and Shawn Mendenhall, MD continue our discussion on upper extremity spasticity—focusing on individualized surgical planning. Our guests explore the range of surgical options available, emphasizing how treatment decisions should be tailored to each child’s functional goals, pattern of spasticity, and overall care plan. The conversation highlights the impo...

This week’s episode with host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP and Shawn Mendenhall, MD focuses on recognizing and correctly identifying upper extremity spasticity in pediatric patients. Our discussion covers key clinical features, surgical updates, common causes, and practical assessment techniques to distinguish spasticity. Understanding these nuances is essential for accurate diagnosis and timely interven...

In this week’s episode, host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP, is joined by Arianna Nunez and Faith Smart. In this episode, youth with lived experience in foster care share their perspectives on medical care - what worked, what didn’t, and what they wish healthcare providers understood. They reflect on the importance of being spoken to directly, knowing what to expect during exams, and feeling respected as a...

In this week’s episode, host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP, is joined by Kristine Fortin, MD. They will focus on what it takes to optimize care for children and youth in foster care. Our guest discusses how pediatricians can apply trauma-informed practices to foster trust, enhance communication, and address the distinct healthcare needs of this population. The conversation also explores common barriers fo...

In this episode of The Virtual Curbside , host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP, is joined by Kristine Fortin, MD. Listen in to the discussion on what is best when providing care for children in foster care with unique challenges. This week, we discuss how often these children should be seen and how to tailor visits using a trauma-informed approach. We explore when it’s appropriate to involve children in the...

In this episode of The Virtual Curbside , host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP, is joined by Kyla Clark, Strengthening Families Program Administrator, provides an inside look at how the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) works to protect children and support families. She explains the different types of foster care placements, the circumstances under which children may be removed from their homes,...

Bonus Episode: Book Club with Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP and Angelo Giardino, MD, FAAP In months with five weeks, The Virtual Curbside pauses clinical discussions for something a little different - a pediatric book club. This month, host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP, sits down with Angelo Giardino, MD, FAAP, to explore Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green. Together, they reflect on the global impact of tu...

 In the final episode of our congenital heart disease and neurodevelopment series, host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP, is joined by experts Kristi Glotzbach, MD, Sarah Winter, MD, and Laura Wood, PhD. Together, they answer listener questions and share practical resources to help providers support children with CHD and related developmental challenges.  Have a question? Email questions@vcurb.com. For more...

In this episode of The Virtual Curbside , host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP, is joined by experts Sarah Winter, MD, and Laura Wood,  PhD, who explore the connection between congenital heart disease (CHD) and neurodevelopmental challenges. The conversation highlights the outpatient resources available to help children thrive - speech, developmental, occupational, and physical therapies - as well as the ro...

This week on The Virtual Curbside , host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP, is joined by experts Sarah Winter, MD, and Jori Harris, MS, to discuss the neurodevelopmental challenges frequently seen in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Together, they outline the common phenotypes associated with CHD, why these patterns matter for long-term outcomes, and how pediatricians can recognize and address co...

In this week's episode, host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP, and guests Kristi Glotzbach, MD, and Laura Wood, PhD discuss recommendations for recognizing and addressing neurodevelopmental risks in infants and children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Listen in as they review strategies for risk identification, protection, screening, and evaluation, and focus on how clinicians can stratify risk for neur...

This week, host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP is joined by Albert Park, MD, and Adrienne Johnson, AuD, to answer listener questions, including how the language pediatric providers use can shape families’ understanding and follow-through with additional testing, as well as how advances in technology are transforming implants and hearing aids.  Have a question? Email questions@vcurb.com.  For more informati...

In this episode, host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP is joined by Albert Park, MD , and Adrienne Johnson, AuD , to explore why failed newborn hearing screens should never be overlooked. The discussion covers how to interpret screening results, the most common risk factors for hearing loss in infants, and when to act quickly for follow-up testing and intervention. Learn practical tips for counseling familie...

In this episode, host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP is joined by Albert Park, MD , and Adrienne Johnson, AuD , to explore why failed newborn hearing screens should never be overlooked. The discussion covers how to interpret screening results, the most common risk factors for hearing loss in infants, and when to act quickly for follow-up testing and intervention. Learn practical tips for counseling familie...

In this episode, host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP, is joined by Albert Park, MD, and Adrienne Johnson, AuD, for an important discussion on hearing evaluations for infants and children. They explore how hearing can be assessed at any age, the basics of diagnostic testing, and why early identification is crucial for a child’s development. Whether you’re a pediatrician, audiologist, or simply want to under...