Charting Pediatrics

Bullying doesn't always look like bruises and broken lunch trays. Sometimes it looks like a kid who suddenly "hates" school or a teen who's glued to their phone but never smiling. Other times, it's a patient who keeps showing up to clinic with vague symptoms like headaches, nausea and no clear diagnosis. In pediatrics, we're trained to look for patterns in data such as growth charts and lab results. But some of the most crucial patterns show up in silence, withdrawal and fear. In this episode about bullying, we are going to examine how it's changed, how it hides and why it's a health issue, not just a school problem.

Lauren Henry, PhD, is a psychologist 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:
How to screen for bullying in your clinic 
Best ways to talk to parents and patients about bullying 
The impact of bullying on mental health for children 
Understanding the signs of bullying  

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

The first 24 hours of a newborn's life are not just clinical — they are electric. They're where physiology meets fear and policy meets instinct, revealing just how resilient and vulnerable babies can be. In this episode, we're unpacking what happens on that first day from the golden hour and early feeding behaviors to delayed bathing and recommended care.
Anna Ruman, MD, specializes in pediatrics at Children's Hospital Colorado. She is also an assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Christine Gold, MD, specializes in pediatric hospital medicine and is an associate professor.
Some highlights from this episode include:
Feeding behaviors in the first 24 hours 
How pediatricians can support families before birth 
Recommendations for newborn care, including medications 
Helpful tips for pediatric newborn support 

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

In pediatrics, we often meet families during their most vulnerable moments such as illness, transition, fear and change. While pediatricians are trained to diagnose and manage disease, some of the most powerful interventions we offer don't come in a prescription bottle. They are found in the relationships we help build, strengthen and protect. In this episode, we're exploring how trauma, attachment and the family system are key to understanding patients.
Benjamin Perks works for the United Nations in New York on human rights and child development and protection. He is a senior fellow at the Jubilee Centre at the University of Birmingham in the UK and an associate member of the department of social policy and innovation at the university of oxford. He is also the author of the book titled "Trauma Proof." Susan Caso is a licensed therapist, speaker and author. She serves as a board member and advisory for The Liv Project. She is the author of the book "The Parent-Teen Connection: How to Build Lifelong Family Relationships." 

Some highlights from this episode include:
What's driving disconnection between parents and teens  
How trauma shows up in family relationships 
How emotional safety in the home acts as a form of prevention 
Trauma-informed shifts providers can make to improve trust and engagement 

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

Adolescence is full of firsts. Big questions about bodies, safety and choices rise to the surface. Contraception can feel intimidating for teens and complex for pediatricians. However, it's also a powerful touchpoint to shape safety, confidence and long-term health. In this episode, we're unpacking the role pediatricians play in guiding teens through reproductive care, where pediatricians can transform a potentially awkward moment into an opportunity for empowerment.   

For this discussion, we're joined by Tricia Huguelet, MD. She is the section chief of the Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology at Children's Hospital Colorado. In addition to being a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, she is the program director for the Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Fellowship, and co-director of the Young Women Bleeding Disorders Program. 

Some highlights from this episode include:
When pediatricians should feel confident to prescribe contraception 
How to handle consent and confidentiality 
What methods would be best for each patient 
Most common barriers to access 

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

Before the Friday night lights and before the season even begins, there's one appointment that can determine athletic eligibility: the pre-participation sports physical. For pediatricians, it's often treated like a checkbox but in reality, it's a powerful clinical moment. Sometimes it is the one chance to catch something that can change a life. In this episode, we explore how to turn the pre-participation physical from paperwork into prevention. We'll break down what really matters in the sports physical, what red flags to watch for and how to use this visit to protect young athletes and support families.

Kristina Wilson, MD, and Nate Howel, MD, join us for this episode. Dr. Wilson is the Medical Director of the Sports Medicine Center at Children's Hospital Colorado and an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Howell specializes in primary care sports medicine and is also an Assistant Professor. 

Some highlights from this episode include:
Current guidelines and recommendations for the sports pre-participation physical 
Why history matters during this exam 
How to handle the same day "I need this form signed now" visit 
How to best conduct this during a routine checkup  

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