OPENPediatrics

In this podcast, recorded at the Top Articles of 2025 Session at PEDICRITICON 2025, Dr. Traci Wolbrink interviews Drs. Ashish Agarwal and Ramesh Kumar Ramachandran about two randomized controlled trials. These studies comparing 0.9% normal saline with Ringer’s lactate in diabetic ketoacidosis and the efficacy of high flow nasal cannula versus nasal prong bubble CPAP in bronchiolitis. The conversation reveals challenges in resource-limited settings, emphasizing the importance of protocol adherence, mentorship, and resource management. Valuable insights into fluid management, respiratory support, and research execution are offered for healthcare professionals keen on advancing clinical practice and research knowledge.

Learning Objectives
- Recognize the limitations of using normal saline in diabetic ketoacidosis
- Understand the physiological benefits of balanced fluids like Ringer’s Lactate
- Identify the logistical challenges in conducting trials in resource-limited settings
- Appreciate the role of teamwork and protocol adherence in research success

AUTHORS
Ashish Agarwal, MD
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India

Ramachandran Rameshkumar, MD, DM, FRCPCH
Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics,
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and
Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, India
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics,
Mediclinic City Hospital, Mohammed Bin Rashid University
of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Traci Wolbrink, MD, MPH‌
Co-Director, OPENPediatrics
Senior Associate in Critical Care Medicine Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine
Boston Children's Hospital
Associate Professor of Anesthesia
Harvard Medical School

DATE
Initial publication date: July 1, 2026.

ARTICLES REFERENCED
Agarwal A, Jayashree M, Nallasamy K, Dayal D, Attri SV. 0.9% Saline versus Ringer's lactate as initial fluid in children with diabetic ketoacidosis: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2025;13(2):e004623. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40194836/

Maya M, Rameshkumar R, Selvan T, Delhikumar CG. High-Flow Nasal Cannula Versus Nasal Prong Bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Children With Moderate to Severe Acute Bronchiolitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2024;25(8):748-757. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38639564/

TRANSCRIPT
https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/as/szcrpthcfg3w4398gkvf9ch/202606_Pedicriticon_Podcast_2025_Transcript

Please visit: http://www.openpediatrics.org OPENPediatrics™ is an interactive digital learning platform for healthcare clinicians sponsored by Boston Children’s Hospital and in collaboration with the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies. It is designed to promote the exchange of knowledge between healthcare providers around the world caring for critically ill children in all resource settings. The content includes internationally recognized experts teaching the full range of topics on the care of critically ill children. All content is peer-reviewed and open-access thus at no expense to the user. For further information on how to enroll, please email: openpediatrics@childrens.harvard.edu

CITATION
Agarwal A, Rameshkumar R, Wolbrink TA. PEDICRITICON 2025: Top Articles in PICU Research. 07/2026. OPENPediatrics. Online Podcast. https://soundcloud.com/openpediatrics/pedicriticon-2025-top-articles-in-picu-research.

In this World Shared Practice Forum Podcast, first authors Drs. Frances Balamuth and Chanu Rhee describe the objectives and methodology for their study “National Estimates of Pediatric Sepsis in US Hospitals Using Clinical Data” published in the March 2026 edition of JAMA. They discuss the process of modifying the Phoenix Sepsis Criteria to an electronic health record-based Pediatric Sepsis Event (PSE) definition and the methods for validating this definition. The authors share salient findings from their study, noting the limitations, and share their hopes for the future direction of sepsis surveillance research.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Understand the derivation for the Pediatric Sepsis Event definition for electronic health record-based pediatric sepsis surveillance
- Review the validation process for the Pediatric Sepsis Event definition
- Compare the Pediatric Sepsis Event definition to the Phoenix Sepsis Criteria
- Discuss the results and limitations of the electronic health record-based study design
- Express the goals for the future direction of pediatric sepsis surveillance research

AUTHORS
Frances Balamuth, MD, PhD, MSCE
Professor of Pediatrics, Chief of Pediatric Emergency Medicine
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Chanu Rhee, MD, MPH
Associate Professor of Population Medicine
Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute

Traci Wolbrink, MD, MPH‌
Senior Associate in Critical Care Medicine;
Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine
Boston Children's Hospital
Associate Professor of Anesthesia
Harvard Medical School

DATE
Initial publication date: June 23, 2026.

ARTICLES REFERENCED
Rhee C, Balamuth F, Dysart K, et al. National Estimates of Pediatric Sepsis in US Hospitals Using Clinical Data. JAMA. 2026;335(15):1321-1331. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41865411/

TRANSCRIPT
https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/as/swj4kvkgg686b6p9whmbht/20260622_WSP_Rhee_and_Balamuth_Transcript

Please visit: www.openpediatrics.org

OPENPediatrics™ is an interactive digital learning platform for healthcare clinicians sponsored by Boston Children's Hospital and in collaboration with the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies. It is designed to promote the exchange of knowledge between healthcare providers around the world caring for critically ill children in all resource settings. The content includes internationally recognized experts teaching the full range of topics on the care of critically ill children. All content is peer-reviewed and open-access, thus at no expense to the user.

For further information on how to enroll, please email: openpediatrics@childrens.harvard.edu

CITATION
Balamuth F, Rhee C, O’Hara JE, Wolbrink TA. National Estimates of Pediatric Sepsis. 06/2026. OPENPediatrics. Online Podcast. https://soundcloud.com/openpediatrics/new-national-estimates-of.

In this Complex Care Journal Club podcast episode, Patricia Basualto discusses a qualitative study of service provider perspectives on access to disability services for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities in British Columbia, Canada. She describes the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration, actionable policy and program recommendations, and next steps from this work.‌

SPEAKER
Patricia Basualto, MHP, PhD Candidate
Assistant Professor, Physiotherapist
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
PhD Candidate in Kinesiology (Rehabilitation)
University of Calgary

HOST
Kathleen Huth, MD, MMSc
Pediatrician, Complex Care Service, Division of General Pediatrics
Boston Children's Hospital
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Harvard Medical School

DATE
Initial publication date: June 8, 2026.

JOURNAL CLUB ARTICLE
Basualto P, Senevirathna AM, Seth A, Dimitropoulos G, Zwicker JD. Improving Equitable Access to Disability Services and Support for Children With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: Service Provider and Decision-Maker Perspectives. Child Care Health Dev. 2026 Jan;52(1):e70213. doi: 10.1111/cch.70213. PMID: 41457809; PMCID: PMC12746062.

TRANSCRIPT
https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/as/7wvf65c7rjcxkvvt4vjspx9v/Basualto_Final_Transcript_5-27‌

Clinicians across healthcare professions, advocates, researchers, and patients/families are all encouraged to engage and provide feedback! You can recommend an article for discussion using this form: https://forms.gle/Bdxb86Sw5qq1uFhW6.

Please visit: http://www.openpediatrics.org OPENPediatrics™ is an interactive digital learning platform for healthcare clinicians sponsored by Boston Children’s Hospital and in collaboration with the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies. It is designed to promote the exchange of knowledge between healthcare providers around the world caring for critically ill children in all resource settings. The content includes internationally recognized experts teaching the full range of topics on the care of critically ill children. All content is peer-reviewed and open-access thus at no expense to the user. For further information on how to enroll, please email: openpediatrics@childrens.harvard.edu

CITATION
Basualto P, Huth K. Opening a Wider Door: Access to Services for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities‌‌‌. 06/2026. OPENPediatrics. Online Podcast.

In this World Shared Practice Forum Podcast, Drs. Mark Peters and Scott Weiss provide their expert insight on the methodology and development of the 2026 International Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines. They discuss challenges encountered during the process and review notable changes to these guidelines compared to previous iterations. The authors share the recommendations that will most impact their personal practice for patients with sepsis, and reflect on how we can improve global research infrastructure to address salient knowledge gaps in pediatric critical care.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Understand the design and methodology for the 2026 Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines
- Review notable changes in the 2026 sepsis guidelines compared to the 2020 edition
- Discuss the implications of the altered recommendations for clinical practice changes
- Consider methods to improve global pediatric research infrastructure and data organization

AUTHORS
Mark Peters, MBChB, PhD, MRCP, FFICM, FRCPCH
Professor of Paediatric Intensive Care
NIHR Senior Investigator
UCL Great Ormond St Institute of Child Health
Hon. Consultant Paediatric Intensivist
Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and
Children’s Acute Transport Service
Great Ormond St Hospital

Scott Weiss, MD, MSCE
Professor of Pediatrics and Pathology & Genomic Medicine,
Division Chief of Critical Care,
Vice-Chair of Research for the Department of Pediatrics,
Nemours Children's Hospital,
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University

Jeffrey Burns, MD, MPH
Emeritus Chief
Division of Critical Care Medicine
Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine
Boston Children's Hospital
Professor of Anesthesia
Harvard Medical School

DATE
Initial publication date: May 26, 2026.

ARTICLES REFERENCED & ADDITIONAL REFERENCES
- Weiss SL, Peters MJ, Oczkowski SJW, et al. Surviving Sepsis Campaign International Guidelines for the Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock in Children 2026. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2026;27(4):379-434. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41869844/

- Balamuth F, Weiss SL, Long E, et al. Balanced Fluid or 0.9% Saline in Children Treated for Septic Shock. N Engl J Med. Published online April 24, 2026. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42028918/

- Weiss SL, Balamuth F, Long E, et al. PRagMatic Pediatric Trial of Balanced vs nOrmaL Saline FlUid in Sepsis: study protocol for the PRoMPT BOLUS randomized interventional trial. Trials. 2021;22(1):776. Published 2021 Nov 6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34742327/

- Steven Pinker "Enlightenment Now” - https://stevenpinker.com/publications/enlightenment-now-case-reason-science-humanism-and-progress

- Blood Poison: The Untold Story of Sepsis - https://amplifypublishinggroup.com/product/nonfiction/health-medicine-and-wellness/general-health-medicine-and-wellness/blood-poison/

TRANSCRIPT
https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/r9q8w9vhsbpg7wwzn35kbmz/202605_WSP_Peters_and_Weiss_Transcript.pdf

Please visit: http://www.openpediatrics.org OPENPediatrics™ is an interactive digital learning platform for healthcare clinicians sponsored by Boston Children’s Hospital and in collaboration with the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies. It is designed to promote the exchange of knowledge among healthcare providers worldwide who care for critically ill children across all resource settings. The content includes internationally recognized experts teaching the full range of topics on the care of critically ill children. All content is peer-reviewed and open-access, thus at no expense to the user. For further information on how to enroll, please email: openpediatrics@childrens.harvard.edu

CITATION
Peters MJ, Weiss SL, O’Hara J, Burns JP. Pediatric Surviving Sepsis: Insights From the Leadership. 05/2026. OPENPediatrics. Online Podcast. https://soundcloud.com/openpediatrics/pediatric-surviving-sepsis-insights-from-the-leadership-by-m-peters-s-weiss-openpediatrics.

In this special Complex Care Journal Club podcast episode, co-hosts Drs. Emily Goodwin, Kristie Malik, and Kathleen Huth interview presenters of posters and oral abstracts relevant to the care of children with medical complexity at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2026 annual meeting, as well as at a pre-PAS event focused on home- and community-based care and training in complex care. Speakers describe their key findings, messages for care teams including patients and families, and opportunities to translate their findings into practice.‌

SPEAKERS
Flor Arellano, MPH
Clinical Research Coordinator,
University of California, Los Angeles

Jennifer Arnold, MD, MSc
Medical Director, Skeletal Health,
Boston Children’s Hospital

Ryan Brewster, MD
Neonatal- Perinatal Medicine Fellow,
Stanford University School of Medicine

Meg Comeau, MHA
Senior Project Director, Center for Innovation in Social Work & Health,
Boston University School of Social Work

John Greenwood, PT
Executive Director for Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Services,
Boston Children’s Hospital

Elaine Lin, MD
Complex Care Pediatrician,
Boston Children’s Hospital

Michelle Macy, MD, MS
Professor of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Scientific Director, Community, Population Health, and Outcomes, Research and Evaluation Center,
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Ashley Nmoh, BA
Medical Student,
Duke University School of Medicine

Jennifer Peralta, MD, MSHPN
Assistant Clinical Professor,
University of California, Los Angeles

Nora Renthal, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Pediatric Endocrinology,
Boston Children’s Hospital

Erin Ward, MEd
Patient Engagement Consultant, Complex Care Service,
Boston Children’s Hospital

HOSTS
Emily J. Goodwin, MD
Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics,
University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine
Pediatrician, General Academic Pediatrics Beacon Program,
Children’s Mercy Kansas City

Kristina Malik, MD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics,
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Medical Director, KidStreet
Pediatrician, Special Care Clinic,
Children’s Hospital Colorado

Kathleen Huth, MD, MMSc
Pediatrician, Complex Care Service, Division of General Pediatrics,
Boston Children's Hospital
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics,
Harvard Medical School

DATE
Initial publication date: May 11, 2026.

ARTICLES REFERENCED
- Brewster RC, Kats DJ, Elborki M, Chilukuri N, Ray M, Shaar N, Hron J, Khan A. Clinical Outcomes of Postedited Artificial Intelligence Translation for Discharge Instructions. Hosp Pediatr. 2026 Apr 10:e2025008986. doi: 10.1542/hpeds.2025-008986. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41956490.

- FamilyCIRCLE. University of Wisconsin–Madison, Department of Pediatrics. Accessed May 4, 2026. https://familycircle.pediatrics.wisc.edu/

- Pediatric Academic Societies. Online program guide. Accessed May 4, 2026. https://2026.pas-meeting.org/

- Pediatric Academic Societies. Who we are. Accessed May 4, 2026. https://www.pas-meeting.org/about/

- Pediatric Academic Societies. Academic Pediatric Association (APA) awards. Accessed May 4, 2026. https://www.pas-meeting.org/2026-awards-apa/‌

TRANSCRIPT
https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/as/k7qqm93qqpqgb5k3jw4f3w2t/PAS_2026_conference_transcript_5-8-26‌

Clinicians across healthcare professions, advocates, researchers, and patients/families are all encouraged to engage and provide feedback! You can recommend an article for discussion using this form: https://forms.gle/Bdxb86Sw5qq1uFhW6.

CITATION
Goodwin EJ, Malik K, Arellano F, Arnold J, Brewster R, Comeau M, Greenwood J, Lin E, Macy M, Nmoh A, Peralta J, Renthal N, Ward E, Huth K. Practice-Changing Research in Complex Care at the Pediatric Academic Societies 2026 Annual Meeting. 05/2026. OPENPediatrics. Online Podcast. https://soundcloud.com/openpediatrics/practice-changing-research-in-complex-care-pediatric-academic-societies-2026.