Charting Pediatrics

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.

Anatomy doesn't work in silos. For example, the airway affects feeding. Feeding affects growth. Reflux affects the lungs. Suddenly, one child has three subspecialists and one very full calendar. Aerodigestive medicine lives in that overlap, and while multidisciplinary teams bring powerful expertise, primary care providers are co-managing these patients. They are fielding the "is this normal" calls. They are tracking growth, advocating for these patients and helping families make sense of recommendations.
In this episode, we talked to two experts about what meaningful co-management looks like, Emily DeBoer, MD, and Todd Wine, MD. Dr. DeBoer specializes in pulmonology at Children's Colorado and is a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Wine specializes in otolaryngology and is an associate professor. 

Some highlights from this episode include:
Which patients benefit from multidisciplinary aerodigestive care versus traditional single-specialty referrals 
How respiratory diagnoses impact patients 
How primary care clinicians can support patients 
Overview of aerodigestive programs across the country 

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

Something is shifting in medicine, and it's hitting pediatrics hard. Fewer students are choosing to become pediatricians. Who will care for the next generation of kids and how will they do it? This episode isn't just another conversation. It's a call to action. From technology shaping tomorrow's doctors to strengthening the pediatric pipeline, we will explore how the next generation is redefining the future of pediatrics.
The journey to becoming a pediatrician is full of discovery, challenge and purpose. In this episode, we are joined by two future pediatricians sharing their own journeys to help us understand the bigger picture. Hannah Bullock, MD, is a resident, and Sarah Martin is a medical student at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Some highlights from this episode include:
The biggest barriers to choosing pediatrics
Why they picked pediatrics
How pediatricians can reframe how students see the field
Hope for the future of pediatrics

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