Charting Pediatrics

When a rare disease suddenly dominates headlines, questions spread quickly and so does anxiety. Over the past few weeks, hantavirus has re-entered the national conversation, leaving many families wondering how concerned they should be. For pediatricians, moments like this can be challenging as they balance public concern with clinical reality, and help families navigate information that is often incomplete, alarming or misleading. In this episode, we take a closer look at hantavirus through an evidence-based pediatric lens including what it is, how transmission occurs, who is truly at risk and what clinicians should know when these questions inevitably enter the exam room. 

To create clarity, we are joined by Samuel Dominguez, MD, PhD and Justin Searns, MD. Dr. Dominguez is the Medical Director of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, as well as the Associate Medical Director of Infection Control and Prevention at Children's Hospital Colorado. Dr. Searns specializes in pediatric infectious diseases and hospital medicine. Both of these experts teach at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. 

Some highlights from this episode include:
Differentiating the types of hantaviruses based on rodent and region 
Outlining the current status of the cruise ship outbreak 
Tips and tricks for talking with worried families 
The potential impact on patients  



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

Pediatric urinary tract infections, or UTIs, don't always follow a script. While they're one of the most common diagnoses, they're also one of the most nuanced. They can be subtle, inconsistent and easy to over — or under — diagnose. Aside from clear urinary symptoms, they can show up as a fever without a source, vague abdominal pain, new incontinence or a child who simply isn't acting like themselves. And in those moments, the decisions pediatricians make such as who to test, how to collect a sample or how to interpret results, carry real clinical weight.
To dive into this topic, we are joined by Kevin Olson, PA, and Meghan Rommel, NP, who practice in the Department of Pediatric Urology at Children's Hospital Colorado.
Some highlights from this episode include:
The challenges of diagnosis and the importance of getting it right 
How UTIs present differently across ages  
When to use antibiotics versus when more discovery is needed 
Approaching recurrent UTIs in children 

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

Genetic testing is no longer a distant, specialized tool reserved for rare disease clinics or academic centers. It's showing up in pediatric practice. For example, pediatricians are increasingly considering genetic diagnoses in children with developmental delays outside the normal range. A NICU graduate may already carry a genetic diagnosis when they see their pediatrician after discharge. What does the practicing pediatric provider need to understand about ordering and interpreting genetic tests?  In this episode, we unpack how community pediatricians can make sense of the world of genomics.
Joining us for this robust conversation are Austin Larson, MD, and Margarita Saenz, MD. Dr. Larson is a pediatric medical and biochemical geneticist. He is the Medical Director of Precision Medicine Clinical Informatics, as well as the Director of the Mitochondrial Care Network Clinic at Children's Hospital Colorado. Dr. Saenz specializes in clinical genetics and dysmorphology. She is the Medical Director of Precision Medicine Education and Family Engagement. They both are faculty members at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Some highlights from this episode include:
Recent advances making genetic testing more accessible to patients 
How the rise of exome and genome sequencing has changed the diagnostic approach in pediatrics 
Secondary findings and how they should be discussed in advanced
Practical advice for a pediatrician who feels overwhelmed to order and interpret these tests 

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

It's one of the most common calls you'll get as a pediatrician, and one of the fastest infections to spread through a classroom. A pink eye shows up and suddenly the questions follow: Is it contagious? Do they need drops? Can they go back to school? Pink eye seems like a simple fix until it's not. From bacterial to viral to allergic, knowing what you're looking at can change how it impacts a family. 

Rebecca Edwards Mayhew, MD, PhD, specializes in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus, at Children's Hospital Colorado. She is also an assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Some highlights from this episode include:
Distinguishing between viral, bacterial and allergic conjunctivitis 
How to consult families about contagion and school policies 
Red flags that should immediately raise concerns for more serious pathology 
When treating with antibiotics makes sense and when to wait and watch  

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

"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.