Charting Pediatrics

A child's future begins long before the first words, first steps or even the first smile. In the span of just 1,000 days, billions of neural connections are formed, and the foundation for lifelong health, learning, and resilience quietly takes shape. Pediatricians understand the critical nature of early development, and they translate that message to parents, helping guide, nurture, recognize risk and shape outcomes that can last decades.  

To explore this fascinating time in a child's life, we are joined by two experts. Caroline Dias, MD, PhD, and Annie Helms, MD, both specialize in developmental and behavioral pediatrics here at Children's Hospital Colorado and are assistant professors at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Helms also leads the BLOSSOM Clinic at Children's Colorado. 

Some highlights from this episode include:
How small things can have the biggest impact in these 1000 days 
The importance of supportive caregivers 
The balance of nature versus nurture 
Easing parent's minds that they aren't "doing enough" 

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

The human spine is designed to support, balance and adapt through a lifetime of growth. But what happens when that growth starts to bend in an unexpected direction? Scoliosis often emerges during periods of rapid development, turning what should be a normal growth spurt into a race against progression. The challenge isn't just finding the curve. It's predicting what that curve will do next. 

To explore the latest in scoliosis care, we are joined by Mark Erickson, MD. He specializes in orthopedic surgery and is the Medical Director of the spine center at Children's Hospital Colorado. He is a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine as well as the fellowship director of pediatric orthopedic surgery.
Some highlights from this episode include:
How and when scoliosis most commonly presents in children
What pediatricians can look for during a routine exam
Particular red flags in the history or physical exam that should cause concern
How pediatricians should determine who needs imaging 

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

When most people hear the word "discipline", they think consequences, punishments or stopping bad behavior in the moment. But what if we've been thinking about discipline too narrowly? We are reframing discipline in toddlers through a completely different lens. One rooted in connection, development and emotional regulation. Because toddler "misbehavior" isn't usually about manipulation or defiance. More often, it's communication. 

To help us create developmentally appropriate expectations, we are joined by two experts. Julia Palozzi, PsyD, specializes in child psychology here at Children's Hospital Colorado and is an instructor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Alyson Hatten, MS, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, specializing in child counseling as well as infant and early childhood mental health. She also is an assistant professor. 

Some highlights from this episode include:
Reframing what children can't do into what they can do 
Why allowing emotional dysregulation is critical to a child's development 
Setting developmentally appropriate expectations
Discipline strategies and how pediatricians can guide families to utilize them

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

It's one of the most unsettling calls a pediatrician can get: a baby who turned blue, stopped breathing or suddenly went limp, only to appear completely normal moments later. Welcome to the clinical gray zone of BRUE (Brief Resolved Unexplained Event). It sits at the intersection of alarm and ambiguity, where the history is often dramatic, but your clinical exam is reassuring. We are going to go beyond the definition and into real-life decisions that you have to make on the phone and in the office. From risk stratification to avoiding unnecessary testing, we break down what actually matters in the moment and what doesn't.
This episode was recorded during a live podcast event in Colorado Springs with Michael DiStefano, MD, and Jamie Hug, DO. Dr. DiStefano is the Chief Medical Officer of Children's Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs, and a pediatric emergency medicine physician. Dr. Hug is a pediatrician in Southern Colorado at the Children's Clinic of Pueblo.
Some highlights from this episode include:
What is considered a BRUE 
When to refer to the emergency department 
How pediatricians can reassure families and validate their experiences 
Why history is so critical to the exam 

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

For many families, water represents joy, summer afternoons, swimming lessons, beach vacations, backyard pools and time spent together. But in pediatrics, we also know that water can become dangerous in seconds, often quietly and without warning. Drowning remains one of the leading causes of preventable death in children, and recent updates from the American Academy of Pediatrics reinforce that prevention must be layered, proactive and tailored. In this episode, we explore how pediatricians can support drowning prevention, because some of the most important work in pediatrics happens long before an emergency occurs.  

We are joined by Jason Woods, MD. He specializes in emergency medicine at Children's Hospital Colorado and is the Associate Program Director of the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship Program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is also an associate professor.
Some highlights from this episode include:
The AAP guidelines and toolkit details about drowning prevention 
Why the definition of drowning has changed and why that matters 
How drowning prevention is layered
The role of the pediatrician in feeling confident to counsel families on this topic 

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