Primary Care Perspectives

Two experts from the CHOP Bariatric Program, Joy Collins, MD, and Elizabeth Parks Prout, MD, MSCE, update us on the state of pediatric obesity, the current medication and surgical management options, and the outcomes of these interventions. The Adolescent Bariatric Program at CHOP is a unique collaboration between our Health and Well-being Clinic, surgeons at CHOP and HUP, clinical psychologists, a clinical dietician, a social worker, and a physical activity specialist. In this episode, Drs. Collins and Prout discuss the psychosocial impacts of bariatric surgery and their team-based, holistic approach to treating patients. 

An estimated 11.4% of US children are diagnosed with ADHD. In this episode, Thomas Power, PhD, ABPP, Director of the Center for Management of ADHD at CHOP, discusses a new Clinical Pathway for the Evaluation and Treatment of ADHD and how primary care providers can utilize and promote psychosocial interventions for ADHD. We discuss behavioral parent training, peer interventions, school supports, emotion regulation, and more, in this fascinating episode!

In light of the recent measles outbreaks, Scott Krugman, MD, MS, FAAP, created a series of social media posts about vaccine-preventable infections. In this episode, he shares pearls from those posts so that we can learn more about these illnesses, which many practicing pediatric providers have never seen outside textbooks thanks to the success of vaccines. He also talks about how his social media posts were received online and why they were so popular.  

In this episode, we discuss the definition and work-up of short stature as well as treatment of growth hormone deficiency. Marissa Kilberg, MD, MSEd, an attending physician in the Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes teaches us about who might qualify for growth hormone deficiency treatment, possible side effects, the logistics of treatment, and when treatment is not indicated. Dr. Kilberg offers primary care providers strategies about the work-up that can be done in primary care as well as management pearls for patients on growth hormone therapy. 

In this episode, Juhee Lee, MD, an attending physician in the Division of Allergy and Immunology at CHOP, discusses some of the nuanced ways anaphylaxis can present and reviews the diagnostic criteria for anaphylaxis. We use a few cases to apply the diagnostic criteria to real-world challenges and discuss how to manage patients with anaphylaxis in the outpatient setting. Dr. Lee teaches us about what's new in anaphylaxis treatment, including intranasal epinephrine, and when patients need to carry epinephrine auto-injectors. Lastly, we review the CHOP Clinical Pathway for the Evaluation/Treatment of Children with Anaphylaxis, which is a great resource. 

Ari Brown, a board-certified pediatrician and author of the Baby 411 series, discusses the rising popularity of goat milk-based infant formula since endorsements from the FDA and AAP. She explains the nutritional benefits of goat milk over cow milk, emphasizing safety and digestibility. Brown warns against the dangers of homemade formulas and shares insights from her experience in the formula industry. The conversation highlights the broader implications of goat milk formulas for infant nutrition, making a case for their mainstream acceptance.

In honor of American Heart Month, Jonathan Edelson, MD, an attending cardiologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Medical Director of the CHOP Sports Cardiology Clinic, talks with Katie Lockwood, MD, MEd, about sports participation for athletes with cardiac disease. Dr. Edelson addresses the importance of physical activity for children with cardiac conditions and how exercise plans should be individualized based on a child’s cardiac condition so that they can meet their exercise goals safely. Learn about the unique CHOP Sports Cardiology Clinic and how they guide athletes and may coordinate care with cardiologists and primary care providers. #HeartMonth @HeartCare4Kids #Cardiology2025 #CHOPHeartWarrior #SportsCardiology

70-80% of patients do not use their asthma inhaler properly and use deteriorates over time. As Dr. Lockwood admits, many providers also don't know how to use some of the inhaler types out on the market and asthma medication shortages have led to prescribing challenges lately, so in this episode, Marcia Winston, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC, AE-C, a nurse practitioner with the Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, walks us through various inhaler types and troubleshoots management issues. We also discuss the implementation of the 2020 GINA guidelines SMART therapy recommendations, use of and cleaning aero chambers, and a poster guide to identify mystery inhalers!

Although relatively rare with 300 cases per year in the United States, we look for retinoblastoma at every well visit. Amish Shah, MD, PhD, a neuro-oncologist at CHOP, educates us on the epidemiology, presentation, management, and prognosis of retinoblastoma, as well as how partnership between Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Wills Eye Hospital has improved outcomes for children. 

Become better prepared to respond to an emergency situation on an airplane through the experience of an emergency medicine physician at Nemours Children's Health, Steven Selbst, MD. In this episode, Dr. Selbst and Dr. Lockwood discuss why healthcare providers should respond to emergencies, the most common types of emergencies, what supplies are on board, and the resources available to responders.