Imagine your body as a complex orchestra. Every hormone playing its part in harmony. When one section falls out of sync, the entire performance shifts. That’s what happens with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), especially in adolescents. During puberty, hormones are already in flux, and PCOS can add another layer of challenges. Irregular periods, acne, excess hair growth, and weight gain are more than frustrating symptoms, they’re signs of an underlying hormonal imbalance that deserves attention. For pediatricians, recognizing PCOS early can make all the difference in helping teens navigate both their physical health and emotional well-being. In this episode, we sit down with Melanie Cree, MD, PhD, a pediatric endocrinologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Director of the Multi-Disciplinary PCOS Clinic at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and a professor. Some highlights from this episode include: Understanding why its name can be deceiving The role of the primary care provider in diagnosing and managing PCOS Differences between abnormal and normal puberty changes The impact of this lifelong disease For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.
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28:41
The Concussion Conversation
Whether it’s a bump, a blow, or a moment of confusion, concussions in kids don’t always look dramatic, but the impact can be significant. When parents start to worry and question what injury lies beneath the surface, pediatricians are typically the first phone call or visit. With evolving guidelines and pressure to clear kids for school and sports, what is the right call? In this episode, we will break down what every clinician should know about concussions including how to spot them, how to manage them and how to guide families through recovery with confidence. To understand the current status of concussions, we are joined by Kristina Wilson, MD. Dr. Wilson is the Medical Director of the Sports Medicine Center at Children’s Hospital Colorado and is an Associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Some highlights from this episode include: Helpful tools PCPs can utilize to recognize a concussion The importance of team involvement regardless of the injury Properly managing family support Interventions and when they should be utilized For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.
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Better Sleep Solutions
Every parent dreams of the perfect bedtime routine: a quick story, a goodnight kiss, and lights out until morning. But real life? Toddlers fight sleep with boundless energy, grade-schoolers push for one more story and teens stay up late scrolling TikTok. Sleep problems in children and teens are common, but pediatricians can play a key role in guiding families toward better rest. In this episode, we explore how to help kids sleep better at every age. From gentle sleep training strategies for young children to managing insomnia and circadian rhythm shifts in teens, we’ll break down practical, evidence-based approaches to pediatric sleep. Join us as we share the science and real-world tools that can help families build healthy sleep habits, for brighter mornings and better overall health. We are joined by Stacey Simon, PhD. She is the Co-Director of Sleep Medicine at Children’s Hospital Colorado and an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Some highlights from this episode include: Best sleep practices for different age groups Addressing the most common sleep issues in children Evidence around sleep training and if it's successful Can medications be a helpful tool for sleep? For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.
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Examining Eczema in Kids
For kids with eczema the discomfort of dry patches, constant itching and sleepless nights, can be relentless. For their parents, the search for answers is as well. In this episode, we’re scratching beneath the surface of one of the most common skin conditions in pediatrics. We’ll explore how to spot triggers, calm flare-ups, choose the right treatments and know when it’s time to call in a dermatologist. Whether it’s helping a toddler stop scratching or giving a teen the confidence to ditch the long sleeves, we’re here to equip pediatricians with the tools to help their patients find relief and reclaim their skin. For this episode, we are joined by Emily Gurnee, MD. She is a Dermatologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado as well as an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Some highlights from this episode include: The most up-to-date information with eczema Medication versus other remedies How to provide care that fits into a family's routine Best ways PCPs can support kids with eczema For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.
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All About Acne
For many teenagers, acne is always top of mind. At the doctor’s office, it’s not uncommon for teens to ask about their skin during a visit. With teenage patients, we’re not just treating acne. We’re also treating their self-esteem. In the wild world of acne, clogged pores meet hormonal havoc. Patients often want magic, and providers need a plan. In this episode, we extract the evidence and apply the right topical clinical wisdom to help manage acne in the office. Joining us for this episode is the host of our sister podcast, fully in Spanish, Pediatrias en Linea, Carla Torres-Zegarra, MD. Dr. Torres-Zegarra specializes in dermatology at Children’s Hospital Colorado and is the Director of the Pediatric Dermatology Fellowship at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Some highlights from this episode include: The severity of acne in teenagers Options for management and treatment in the primary care setting The importance of diagnosis from the beginning How to identify when acne is abnormal Find the latest guidelines for acne management from the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology here. For more information on Children’s Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.
Now in our eighth season, Charting Pediatrics empowers medical professionals to care for kids with confidence. Brought to you by multidisciplinary experts at Children’s Hospital Colorado, this weekly show shares the latest innovations, groundbreaking research and educational resources in pediatric medicine, while also shedding light on current challenges facing the pediatric healthcare community.
Whether you’re seeking candid conversations about tough topics or evidence-based clinical information, Charting Pediatrics provides relevant insights you can trust. Pediatricians, primary care providers, medical students and anyone passionate about child health can learn from the stories on our show, which are told with humility, compassion, thoughtfulness and even humor.
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