
Pediatrics On Call
Welcome to Pediatrics On Call: a podcast on children's health from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Each episode features interviews about new research and hot topics in the field of pediatrics. Learn about the most important innovations from the people behind them. This podcast is for pediatricians and other health professionals who serve children and their families. And if you're a parent or caregiver, it's also for you.
Latest episodes

Jun 27, 2023 • 32min
Treating Self-Harm, Roles Fathers Play in Breastfeeding and Safe Sleep – Ep 163
In this episode Huma Ali Khan, MD, MPH, FAAP, explains why children and teens self-harm, how pediatricians can identify it and ways to treat it. Hosts David Hill, MD, FAAP, and Joanna Parga-Belinkie, MD, FAAP, also speak with John James Parker, MD, about his research into fathers’ roles in breastfeeding and safe sleep. For resources go to aap.org/podcast.

Jun 20, 2023 • 33min
Improving Pedestrian Safety, Treating Eosinophilic Esophagitis – Ep 162
In this episode Brian Johnston, MD, MPH, FAAP, co-author of a new policy statement and technical report on child pedestrian safety, explains how changing infrastructure can save lives. Hosts David Hill, MD, FAAP, and Joanna Parga-Belinkie, MD, FAAP, also speak with Christine Waasdorp Hurtado, MD, MSCS, FAAP, NASPGHAN-F, about an increasingly common condition called eosinophilic esophagitis. For resources go to aap.org/podcast.

Jun 13, 2023 • 22min
Pathways to Pediatrics with Dr. Yvonne (Bonnie) Maldonado – Ep 161
In this episode of the special series, “Pathways to Pediatrics,” hosts David Hill, MD, FAAP, and Joanna Parga-Belinkie, MD, FAAP, interview Yvonne (Bonnie) Maldonado, MD, FAAP. Dr. Maldonado talks about being the daughter of Mexican immigrants, finding a path toward epidemiology and why she loves watching the video feed of peregrine falcons at UC Berkeley. For more Pathways to Pediatrics, go to aap.org/podcast.

Jun 6, 2023 • 36min
Pediatrics Research Roundup, Improving Sleep in Youth and Teens – Ep. 160
In this episode Alex R. Kemper, MD, MPH, MS, FAAP, deputy editor of Pediatrics, shares a research roundup from the June issue of the journal. Hosts David Hill, MD, FAAP, and Joanna Parga-Belinkie, MD, FAAP, also speak with Anna Esparham, MD, FAAP, DABMA, DABOIM, about ways to help children and teens achieve better sleep and why labels on sleep aids are not always accurate. For resources go to aap.org/podcast.

May 30, 2023 • 34min
Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Research on Mental Health, Firearm Access and Suicidality– Ep. 159
In this episode Srinivasan Suresh, MD, MBA, FAAP, chair of the AAP Council on Clinical Information Technology, outlines the potential benefits and risks of using artificial intelligence in medicine. Hosts David Hill, MD, FAAP, and Joanna Parga-Belinkie, MD, FAAP, also speak with Keith Hullenaar, PhD, about his research into mental health, firearm access and suicidality.

May 23, 2023 • 33min
Gender-affirming Care, Undertriage in Emergency Departments – Ep. 158
In this episode Kathryn Lowe, MD, FAAP, member of the executive committee of the AAP Section on LGBT Health and Wellness, explains why limiting gender-affirming care affects the health of all children. Hosts David Hill, MD, FAAP, and Joanna Parga-Belinkie, MD, FAAP, also speak with Deena Berkowitz, MD, MPH, about rates of undertriage in the emergency department for children with non-English-speaking caregivers. For resources go to aap.org/podcast.

May 16, 2023 • 36min
Social Media and Mental Health, How Maternal BMI and Rapid Infant Weight Gain Affect Children Later in Life – Ep. 157
In this episode Megan Moreno, MD, MPH, MSEd, FAAP, and Jenny Radesky, MD, FAAP, co-Medical Directors of the SAMHSA-funded AAP Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, explain why the AAP aims to shift the way people think about and use social media. Hosts David Hill, MD, FAAP, and Joanna Parga-Belinkie, MD, FAAP, also speak with Stephanie Gilley, MD, PhD, FAAP, about how prebirth maternal BMI and rapid infant weight gain affect a child’s health later in life. For resources go to aap.org/podcast.)

May 9, 2023 • 28min
Medicaid Unwinding after the Pandemic, Sex Trading among Cisgender Boys – Ep. 156
In this episode Pam Shaw, MD, FAAP, chair of the AAP Committee on State Government Affairs, explains what will happen when the COVID-19 public health emergency ends and Medicaid no longer is available to children and families. Hosts David Hill, MD, FAAP, and Joanna Parga-Belinkie, MD, FAAP, also speak with Lauren Martin, PhD, about the prevalence of trading sex among cisgender boys. For resources go to aap.org/podcast.

May 2, 2023 • 29min
Pediatrics Research Roundup, Preventing Vehicular Heat Stroke – Ep. 155
In this episode Rachel Moon, MD, FAAP, associate editor of digital media for the journal Pediatrics, shares a research roundup from the May issue. Hosts David Hill, MD, FAAP, and Joanna Parga-Belinkie, MD, FAAP, also speak with Laura Dunn from the National Highway Transit Safety Administration about preventing vehicular heat stroke. For resources, go to aap.org/podcast.