Charting Pediatrics

"Picky eater" is one of the most common labels in pediatrics and one of the easiest to overlook. But when a child's diet is shrinking instead of expanding, when meals are a source of stress instead of routine, or when growth and nutrition start to feel like a question mark, it's worth taking a second look. In this episode, we're discussing ARFID: what it looks like in clinic, how to spot the difference from typical picky eating, and how to approach these patients with a sharper clinical lens.
In this episode, we are joined by Kimberly Sheffield, PhD. She is an eating disorders psychologist at Children's Hospital Colorado, as well as the Clinical Director of Pediatric Mental Health Institute (PMHI) day programs, and the Associate Training Director for Psychology Training. 

Some highlights from this episode include:
Specific growth or nutrition patterns that should raise suspicion of ARFID
Treatment options pediatricians can manage in clinic 
Overlap between ARFID and neurodiversity  
Patterns to look for in certain age groups 

This episode is underwritten by Ent Credit Union, proud supporter of Charting Pediatrics and Children's Hospital Colorado. Ent is Colorado's largest credit union serving more than 550,000 members at 60 service centers across the Front Range. Ent generously responded to Children's Colorado's State of Emergency for pediatric mental health in 2021 and is pleased to support this episode. Visit ent.com, insured by NCUA. 

For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.

A toddler takes their first bite of peanut butter and breaks out in hives. A parent sits across from you, equal parts frightened and overwhelmed, asking the question you hear every day, "What happens now?" Food allergies have long lived at the intersection of fear and uncertainty, for families and clinicians alike. But that story is changing. A landscape once defined by strict avoidance is rapidly evolving into proactive management, personalized risk assessment, and emerging therapies that are reshaping outcomes. In this episode, we step into that evolving world. From early introduction and updated diagnostic strategies to the expanding role of oral immunotherapy and biologics, we'll unpack what's here, what's coming, and what it means for how you care for patients in real time.  

Two allergy experts, David Fleischer, MD, and Allison Hicks, MD, join us for this episode. Dr. Fleischer is the Section Head of Allergy and Immunology, as well as the Director of the Allergy and Immunology Center at Children's Hospital Colorado. Dr. Hicks is the Director of Food and Immunotherapies. They both teach at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Some highlights from this episode include:
How food allergy management has evolved 
The biggest misconceptions about food allergies 
The latest guidelines on early, consistent introduction to different foods 
What the current treatment options look like and the role of the pediatrician 

For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.

Inside every one of us is a complex, evolving ecosystem influencing everything from immunity to inflammation to long-term health. This is known as our gut microbiome. The choices made early on, such as how babies are born, fed and treated, can have lasting effects. In this episode, we explore the pediatric gut microbiome: what builds it, what disrupts it and why it matters more than some may think.
We're joined by gastroenterology experts Jaime Belkind-Gerson, MD, and Edwin DeZoeten, MD. Dr. Belkind-Gerson is the Director of the Neurogastroenterology program at Children's Colorado. Dr. DeZoeten is the Director of the Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center. They are also professors at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Some highlights from this episode include:
What influences the gut microbiome at an early age
How diet influences the overall health of the microbiome 
The connection between the brain and the gut 
Separating fact versus fiction in probiotics 

For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.

Every pediatric visit tells two stories. One is about the child in front of us: their growth, symptoms and milestones. The other belongs to the parent beside them, often unspoken but deeply felt. In this episode, we're talking about parental wellbeing and why it belongs at the center of pediatric care. From chronic stress and mental health challenges to resilience and support systems, a caregiver's experience doesn't stay in the background but rather shapes a child's biology, behavior and long-term health.
To discuss this important topic, we are joined by Mona Amin, DO. She is a board-certified pediatrician, a mom of two and the founder of the incredible podcast PedsDocTalk, a globally recognized platform reaching over 1.5 million people. 

Some highlights from this episode include:
Why a parent's mental health impacts child health and development 
The role the pediatrician can play in identifying parental struggles 
Common misconceptions about parental mental health 
Healthy boundaries between sharing details and privacy 

For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.

A tired teen who struggles to get out of bed or a child whose growth is falling behind expectations, are familiar clinical problems, each with a differential diagnosis. Thyroid disorders are often on the differential for many common symptoms we see, yet thyroid disease rarely walks into the office announcing itself. Instead, thyroid disorders can hide in plain sight, disguised as other diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, delayed puberty, constipation or "just teenage hormones." In this episode, we've diving into the physiology, the pitfalls and the practical decisions behind pediatric thyroid care. Because when we understand the thyroid, we can protect long-term health.
Maggie Chan, MD, is an endocrinologist at Children's Hospital Colorado, as well as an associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Some highlights from this episode include:
Most common thyroid disorders in children 
How to differentiate between mental health symptoms versus thyroid symptoms 
When to screen and what labs to test for 
Three practical takeaways to utilize in clinic 

For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.