Charting Pediatrics

There was a time when the vaccine conversation in pediatrics felt straightforward: here's the schedule, here's what your child needs, and here's when they need it. Today, it's anything but simple. The recommendations are evolving. The vaccine schedule is under a microscope. New guidance is emerging around COVID-19 and RSV. And at the same time, pediatricians are sitting across from families who may be confused, skeptical or overwhelmed by what they're hearing online. So how do we make sense of all of it — and, perhaps more importantly, how do we talk about it? 

To break down the latest recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics we are joined by Sean O'Leary, MD, the immunization schedule editor for the AAP. He specializes in infectious diseases and is the director of the Colorado Pediatrics Practice-Based Research Network, also known as the Colorado Children's Outcomes Network. He is also a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.  

Some highlights from this episode include:
Biggest takeaways from the September 2026 vaccine update 
Current schedule: what's changed and what's stayed the same 
Expectations for upcoming respiratory season 
Approaching vaccine hesitancy with families

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

Atopic dermatitis may be common, but it can be anything but simple. For children and their families, sleepless nights from persistent itch and discomfort from recurrent flares can take a real toll, and the treatment landscape is changing quickly. So, what do pediatricians need to know? In this episode, we'll unpack the latest American Academy of Dermatology guidelines for children, from daily skin care and topical treatments to when we need to intensify therapy. 

To break down these new guidelines, we are joined by two dermatologists here at Children's Colorado: Emily Gurnee, MD, and Carla Torres-Zegarra, MD. Both teach at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Some highlights from this episode include:
Biggest takeaways from the new guidelines 
How these guidelines impact primary care management of atopic dermatitis 
New treatment options
Support between primary care provider and specialist when appropriate

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

Wheezing, cough and increased work of breathing are common pediatric presentations that can quickly lead clinicians to consider asthma. But not every child with lower -airway symptoms has asthma. Viral illness, tracheomalacia, aspiration and other conditions can mimic asthma, making the underlying cause difficult to recognize based on symptoms alone. In this episode, we take a closer look at the clinical clues that can help pediatricians distinguish non-asthmatic causes of lower-airway symptoms from asthma. 

Monica Federico, MD, is a pulmonologist at Children's Hospital Colorado, the medical director of the hospital's asthma program and a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. 

Some highlights from this episode include:
Common pediatric presentations that can mimic asthma 
Clinical clues that may point to a non-asthmatic cause of wheezing or cough 
Viral illness, tracheomalacia and aspiration as alternative diagnoses 
When persistent or atypical symptoms should prompt a broader evaluation 
How recognizing the underlying cause can change management 

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

Fifteen minutes. That's about all the time most pediatricians have to care for an entire child and family. In that brief visit, they are expected to address preventive care, developmental concerns, chronic conditions, behavioral health, documentation, and countless questions from parents, all while building meaningful relationships. It's a lot to ask of both clinicians and the healthcare system. What if the answer isn't working faster, but working differently? Today, we're talking about how pediatric practices can build systems that support better coordinated, family-centered care while creating more sustainable and fulfilling careers for clinicians. 

Joining us for this important discussion is Tricia Ramos, MD. She is a general pediatrician visiting all the way from Quezon City in the Philippines. 

Some highlights from this episode include:
How to balance family's needs and pediatricians' priorities in a short visit 
Biggest pain points in today's pediatric practices 
Systems and workflows that have made a meaningful difference in improving care 
High-impact changes smaller or independent clinics can implement 

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

Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in children and adolescents, but it can sometimes be easy to miss. From the toddler who drinks almost exclusively milk to the adolescent athlete struggling to keep up with their peers or the teen with heavy menstrual bleeding and persistent fatigue, these patients may present differently while sharing the same underlying diagnosis. 

In this episode, we explore iron deficiency anemia in pediatric patients, including why it remains so common, which children and adolescents may be at increased risk, and the clinical clues that can help pediatricians recognize iron deficiency before it becomes a missed opportunity. Joining us for this important conversation is Akhila Vadivelan, MD, a pediatric hematologist/oncologist at Children's Hospital Colorado and an assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. 

Some highlights from this episode include:
Evaluation, diagnosis and management of iron deficiency anemia 
What this diagnosis means for different populations 
Clinical clues pediatricians should look out for 
When treatment makes sense 

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