The Cribsiders

Crossover episode alert! PedsOnCall hosts Dr. David Hill and Dr. Joanna Parga-Belinkie join the Cribsiders live to recap the AAP 2022 conference plenaries. Listen as we discuss reclaiming joy in pediatrics, the stigma against mental health, children orphaned by COVID, weight neutral health, and concussion-related vision problems. 

Dr. Peter Lu, a pediatric gastroenterologist and motility specialist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, delves into the challenges of diagnosing and managing pediatric constipation. He shares valuable insights about distinguishing functional constipation from more serious conditions, utilizing tools like the Rome 4 criteria and Bristol stool chart. Dr. Lu discusses effective treatment options, including tailored medications, and underscores the importance of family education. The conversation blends expert advice with a warm, welcoming tone, making complex topics accessible for parents and caregivers.

Dr. Nivian Blondet, a pediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist from Seattle, dives into the complexities of pediatric hyperbilirubinemia. She clarifies the differences between unconjugated and conjugated bilirubin, emphasizing their impact on diagnosis and treatment. The discussion covers key assessments like splenomegaly, innovative parental monitoring tips, and the critical timing of surgeries like CASAI for biliary atresia. Additionally, she addresses health inequities in pediatric care, stressing the importance of thorough evaluations and community support.

Does your head spin when you look at a von Willebrand panel? In this episode, Dr. Angela Weyand teaches us about the most typical presentations of VWD, how to interpret those pesky antigen and activity levels, and how DDAVP works for bleeds.

Dr. Margaret Scheffler, a board-certified pediatric intensivist at Hasbro Children's Hospital, dives into the world of medication safety for children. She highlights the importance of weight-based dosing and details risk factors for medication errors in pediatrics. The conversation emphasizes clear communication between providers and families, discussing tools like MEDRITES to enhance medication literacy. With a touch of personal insight, she also shares challenges faced in medical careers and the need for resilience. It's an engaging mix of safety tips and personal stories!

Confused about pediatric palliative care? Dr Priyal Patel sheds light on this much misunderstood specialty, teaches you which children should be referred and why, what palliative care teams really do and how you can have challenging conversations. 

With the recent forced displacement of communities from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and beyond, it is more important than ever to understand how to care for refugee populations. Dr. Jamie Robinson and Dr. Mark Troyer discuss components of initial intake and medical screening upon entry to the United States, including: the long and vetted road to refugee resettlement, the importance of trauma-informed mental health screening and oral health, and the rewarding nature of their work.

Feeling (beta-) blocked when trying to figure out how to care for your pediatric patients with acute or recurrent headaches? Hoping to prevent them from taking an unnecessary trip(tan) to the ER? Shade your eyes, because Dr. Gaitanis is about to shed some light on the key aspects of evaluating, diagnosing, and managing various types of pediatric headaches!

Weight weight…don’t tell me!! Dr. Channing Brown joins us for this data-filled, practice-changing episode on countering weight-stigma while providing evidence-based nutrition and preventive health counseling for our pediatric population. Using frameworks drawn from a Health At Every Size model, Dr. Brown teaches us to focus on nutrition and activity, not number on a scale; how to use weight-neutral language in counseling patients and families; and most importantly evidence-based ways to support overall pediatric health. 

Recap and review the top pearls from episodes #16 Kawasaki Disease, #19 Concussion, and #20 Acute Otitis Media with a few members of our production team! It’s Fables from the Cribside! (FFTC), our series providing a rapid review of recent Cribsiders episodes for your spaced learning.