This episode will help you better prepare for and manage children with inborn errors of metabolism in the Emergency Department. Consider it a supplement to what you remember from Biochemistry and the instructions on the family’s laminated care plan sheet. My special guest podcaster, Emily Groopman, is an actual Pediatric Geneticist in training and we hope that you will find this episode useful. PEMBlog @PEMTweets on… sigh “X” (Twitter) My Instagram My Mastodon account @bradsobo Emily Groopman, MD, PhD Emily Groopman, MD, PhD is a first-year resident in the Combined Pediatrics-Medical Genetics ..read more

Newborn infants need intramuscular injections of Vitamin K in order to produce critical clotting factors. If they don’t get it PEMBlog @PEMTweets on… sigh “X” (Twitter) My Instagram My Mastodon account @bradsobo References American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Fetus and Newborn.  Controversies Concerning Vitamin K and the Newborn.  Pediatrics 2003 July; 112(1):191-2. Ross, JA, Davies SM. Vitamin K prophylaxis and childhood cancer. Med Pediatr Oncol. 2000 Jun;34(6):434-7. Cornelissen, M., et al.  Prevention of vitamin K deficiency bleeding: efficacy of different multiple ..read more

This episode will help you recognize cellulitis and even differentiate it from erysipelas which is totally a different thing. You’ll also learn about treatment, whether or not a blood culture is necessary, and a whole lot more. PEMBlog @PEMTweets on… sigh “X” (Twitter) My Instagram My Mastodon account @bradsobo References Chen AE, Carroll KC, Diener-West M, Ross T, Ordun J, Goldstein MA, Kulkarni G, Cantey JB, Siberry GK. Randomized controlled trial of cephalexin versus clindamycin for uncomplicated pediatric skin infections. Pediatrics. 2011 Mar;127(3):e573-80. doi: 10.1542/peds.2010-2053. Ep ..read more

Laryngomalacia, is the most common cause of infant stridor. Early diagnosis is crucial as it can impact a child’s growth and development. Most infants get better on their own, but those with severe symptoms need surgical interventions like supraglottoplasty. Learn all about diagnosis and management of this common problem in this brief podcast episode. PEMBlog @PEMTweets on… sigh “X” (Twitter) My Instagram My Mastodon account @bradsobo References Klinginsmith M, Goldman J. Laryngomalacia. [Updated 2022 Jun 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-.&nb ..read more

Just because you can test for dozens of viruses with a single swab should you? Is this actually measuring a current infection, or a recent virus from which the child has since recovered. And what about the cost? Are these tests expensive (spoiler alert: They are!). Learn about the situations when we should get these panels, and how we can avoid overusing them when we shouldn’t in this tremendous discussion with Dr. Olivia Ostrow and Dr. Kelly Levasseur. This podcast episode is designed to disseminate the important work of Choosing Wisely, an initiative of the the American Board of Interna ..read more

Where else is the poop going to be? Constipation is by and large a clinical diagnosis. This episode reviews how to make the diagnosis, red flags, and why X-Rays don’t necessarily help assess stool burden adequately in most children. This podcast episode is designed to disseminate the important work of Choosing Wisely, an initiative of the the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation, the goal of which is the spark conversations between clinicians and patients about what tests, treatments, and procedures are needed – and which ones are not. The Choosing Wisely recommendation: Do not ..read more

Labs or CT scans are not necessary to provide additional diagnostic information or reassurance for most children who recover completely following simple febrile seizures or unprovoked first time generalized seizures. The rate of abnormalities on these studies is very low, and the cost and downsides are too high to justify ordering them on a regular basis. This podcast episode is designed to disseminate the important work of Choosing Wisely, an initiative of the the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation, the goal of which is the spark conversations between clinicians and patients ..read more

For most children requiring admission to an inpatient psychiatric facility laboratory studies are generally not required. Many of the children and adolescents being admitted already have an established mental or behavioral diagnosis, and a reassuring history and exam. The heterogeneity of clinical settings makes it challenging to establish processes that account for the needs of our patients while limiting the use of unnecessary resources broadly. This podcast episode is designed to disseminate the important work of Choosing Wisely, an initiative of the the American Board of Internal Medi ..read more

For most children with children with bronchiolitis, croup, asthma, or first-time wheezing chest X-Rays are not necessary. These X-Rays are often obtained due to the possibility of missing pneumonia. But, these radiographs are hard to interpret, increase length of stay and the cost of care, and expose children to excess radiation. This podcast episode is designed to disseminate the important work of Choosing Wisely, an initiative of the the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation, the goal of which is the spark conversations between clinicians and patients about what tests, treatmen ..read more

Henoch–Schönlein Purpura (HSP) is a common vasculitis seen in younger children. The classic skin finding is palpable purport in gravity dependent areas of the body (buttocks and legs). Children can also have arthralgias, abdominal pain and intussusception, and even nephritis. Learn about the diagnosis and management of Henoch–Schönlein Purpura (HSP) in this brief podcast episode. PEMBlog @PEMTweets on… sign=h “X” (Twitter) My Instagram My Mastodon account @bradsobo References Chen JY et al. Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis in children: incidence, pathogenesis and management. World ..read more