Charting Pediatrics

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.

GLP-1 medications have become an important part of adult obesity treatment and are now increasingly relevant in pediatric care. As new approvals emerge and clinical guidance continues to evolve, pediatricians are being asked to consider when, and for whom, these therapies may be appropriate. In this episode, we review the current evidence, discuss clinical considerations and examine the evolving role of GLP-1 medications in child and adolescents.
Megan Kelsey, MD, is the medical director of both lifestyle medicine and adolescent bariatric surgery. Jaime Moore, MD, specializes in pediatric nutrition and obesity medicine. Both Drs. Moore and Kelsey are on the faculty here at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Some highlights from this episode include:
How GLP-1s are changing lives for kids with obesity 
Learning how they work and are administered 
The average effect of these medications 
The future of use as access to these medications becomes easier
Below are some resources mentioned in this episode:
Institute for Healthy Childhood Weight
University of Minnesota: Virtual Advanced Therapies for Pediatric Obesity Conference

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

Circumcision is one of the most common procedures performed in newborns. For such a frequent procedure, it can stir up big conversations in the primary care office. How do you help families make informed decisions? What technique details really matter? What's the role of the pediatrician when something doesn't look quite right in the days that follow? In this episode, we're unpacking the real-world essentials of circumcision in primary care from evidence-based counseling to timing, pain control, and navigating those questionable moments.
Kelly Harris, MD, and Brian Caldwell, MD, both specialize in urology at Children's Hospital Colorado. Dr. Harris is an assistant professor, and Dr. Caldwell is an associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine
Some highlights from this episode include:
How common circumcision is today
Why the decision is very individualized to each family
How pediatricians can support families in this decision-making process 
Most common side effects 

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