In just the United States, more than 15,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. Globally, that number is greater than 300,000. As difficult as those numbers may be, there is good news: Our cancer therapies continue to improve. In the 1960s, only about 5% of children survived leukemia. Today, that number is 90% or better. Many more pediatric oncology patients are now transitioning into survivors of childhood cancer and have the opportunity to achieve their hopes and dreams as adults. This means primary care providers are caring for these patients in increasing numbers. What’s importan ..read more

  The mouth is a fundamental part of the human body. It allows us to eat, drink, breathe, speak, smile and express ourselves. Naturally, that means oral health is connected to our broader physical health, but in the United States, medical and dental care are structurally separate. Despite their connections, the two have entirely different systems of professional training schools, insurance coverage and care networks. This is referred to as the dental divide, and it results in varied levels of access and health outcomes. The repercussions of these barriers are significant, especially ..read more

When you work in neonatology, you are surrounded by babies. You’re regularly meeting new parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, some who are living the best days of their lives, and others who are experiencing the very worst. But as a doctor, you never expect to become the patient. We go beyond the white coat in this episode with a story of tragedy and personal discovery from Laurie Sherlock, MD, that changed how she interacts with her patients and practices medicine. “I’ve been gifted through the accident and my son’s death. I’ve been gifted so much compassion for what our families are ..read more

Innovations and techniques to enhance spinal surgical care, and support patient- centric outcomes, have made big strides in the last decade. Technology like surgical robots, 3D printed models customized to the patient, and a new procedure called vertebral body tethering are just a few examples of the many incredible advancements.   Two leading experts on scoliosis surgery at Children’s Hospital Colorado join us to discuss these impressive changes and how they are impacting patient care. Mark Erickson, MD, is the medical director of the Children’s Hospital Colorado Spine Program, as well a ..read more

  When babies enter the world, there’s a plethora of diagnoses providers need to look out for. Some are simple fixes, while others are a bit more complicated. When parents take their kids home, how should they know what to keep an eye out for? In this episode, we explore one potential diagnosis for an infant: tongue ties. How can you tell if a baby has one, and if they do, when should it be fixed? Looking at the concerns and consequences of tongue ties is important in making a decision on how to treat it.  To provide guidance in making these decisions, Soham Roy, MD, is our gues ..read more

The care of children with cleft lip and palate spans an entire lifetime. It requires methodical care with a multidisciplinary team, and a special emphasis on the family. Integration with a child’s pediatrician, medical home and their loved ones is key. While the oral cleft is the most common craniofacial malformation in a newborn, the three main types differ vastly.   We are in for a treat with the guest for this episode. We are joined by a gifted plastic surgeon who has traveled the world to perform these life-changing surgeries and bring smiles to everyone involved. Phuong Nguyen, MD, s ..read more

You’ve likely heard of CRISPR, the comprehensive gene editing technology that emerged in the 2010s and has since revolutionized biological research. Additionally, the medical community has long been using the concept of gene therapy. What’s new is that both approaches have now successfully been harnessed for the treatment of human disease. In December 2023, the FDA approved two therapies for the treatment of sickle cell disease; one utilizing CRISPR technology and the other using a gene transfer therapy approach. These therapies now have the opportunity to change the life course of this terrib ..read more

In its 7th season, Charting Pediatrics has hit 2 million lifetime downloads! What an accomplishment. Our podcast team wants to thank each of you, our listeners, for tuning in each week to learn about the latest and greatest in pediatric healthcare. This accomplishment would not be possible without each of you, and we are thrilled to have you on this journey. 2024 has a lot of unique opportunities in store. Get ready for more content, new ideas, and further educational opportunities.  In this special episode, our hosts, David Brumbaugh, MD, Alison Brent, MD, and Dan Nicklas, MD, reflect on ..read more

Children and their families need a healthcare system that serves them wholeheartedly. Having their unique needs prioritized creates an important opportunity for lifelong health and wellbeing. However, the current health system in our country and globally has massive gaps to fill, especially as it pertains to children of color. The medical community is focusing on preventative measures and connections between children, families, communities and the systems they interact with regularly. While large efforts are being made across the child healthcare field, there is strong agreement that child hea ..read more

Facts and fiction can overlap in movies and television. That’s especially prevalent in medical dramas where the details seem so real but often don’t portray the full picture. While the intention may be to create powerful entertainment, sometimes a storyline can misinform the viewer. Unrealistic circumstances, overexaggerated outcomes and the bending of scientific truth, create confusion. When it comes to food allergies, how a situation is handled can be the difference between a routine medical occurrence and a lifesaving episode. “This is where we see some really dramatic portrayals because yo ..read more