The Cribsiders

This week we take a closer look at the ear-resistible topic of Mastoiditis. Join us and pediatric ENT, Dr. Tali Lando, for an enlightening discussion regarding what exactly the mastoid bone is, how mastoiditis develops, and typical management, including both surgical and non-surgical options. You won’t want to miss this!

The latest UTI guidelines are giving pediatric clinicians plenty to think about - and a few things to rethink. Join pediatric hospitalist and guideline author Dr. Brian Alverson for a practical discussion of evaluating and treating UTIs in children from 8 days through 5 years of age. We’ll walk through when to test, how to collect and interpret urine samples, when waiting is reasonable, and why constipation should not be overlooked. Along the way, we’ll tackle shorter antibiotic courses, imaging decisions, prophylaxis, and strategies for avoiding overtreatment.

Kids put everything everywhere. In this episode, we talk with pediatric emergency medicine physician Gabriel Devlin, MD, about the evaluation and management of pediatric foreign body ingestions and insertions from airway foreign bodies and button batteries to magnets, nasal beads, and bugs in the ear.

Don't let a clot catch you off guard! Recorded live at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Pediatric Grand Rounds, we're joined by Dr. Hope Wilson (UAB) to untangle deep vein thrombosis. Dr. Wilson teaches us which veins actually count as "deep," prescribing DOACs to kids, and how anticoagulation duration has changed. Plus a rapid fire round on upper extremity clots, Lemierre's, and what to do when anticoagulation is off the table. Your enthusiasm for VTE is about to propagate.

Vaccine preventable illnesses have been on the run since the first smallpox vaccine was administered in 1789, however recent trends in vaccine uptake has led to resurgence of these infectious diseases. Today, each pediatrician must be able to recognize and combat pathogens like Bordetella pertussis, Strep pneumonia, and Haemophilus influenzae.

Trust your gut—it might be FPIES! Pediatric allergist Dr. Jessica Macdougall joins us to break down food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), from the vomiting infant in the ED to the baby with chronic GI symptoms and poor growth. Learn how to distinguish FPIES from IgE-mediated food allergy and “milk protein allergy” (FPIAP), recognize common triggers and mimickers, manage acute reactions, and safely navigate food reintroduction.

Speech delay got you tongue-tied? We’ve got you covered! Join the Cribsiders and Dr. Lisa Spector as we talk through speech and language milestones, important red flags, and the many factors that can contribute to delayed communication. We discuss why every child with speech or language delay deserves a hearing evaluation, how to connect families with Early Intervention and speech-language pathology, and practical ways caregivers can support language development at home.

Have you ever wondered when exactly you should be getting an EEG to capture an unusual baby movement? Featuring pediatric epileptologist Dr. Eva Catennacio of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, this episode focuses on the intricacies of an infantile spasms syndrome diagnosis. Tune in to learn when to order an EEG, how to diagnose infantile spasms, and the benefits of early effective treatment. 

Failure to thrive is out, faltering weight is in! Join us as pediatric gastroenterologist and guideline author Dr. Praveen Goday weighs in on the new AAP guideline for faltering weight. Learn how to use z-scores to identify children at risk for malnutrition, when nutritional intervention should precede diagnostic testing, and practical strategies to support catch-up growth across the pediatric age spectrum. Tune in to learn how to tip the scales toward healthy growth while avoiding unnecessary testing.

Pediatric cardiologist Dr. Mike Fahey returns to teach us about the EKG. In our most ambitious episode yet, we discuss the what, where, why, and how of an EKG on an AUDIO podcast. Learn about how to approach an EKG read, what the electrical signal represents, and common pathologies that present with abnormal findings.

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Ever wonder whether it’s called “BREW” or “BRU-E”? Dr. Joel Tieder puts an end to this debate and provides other key pearls in risk stratification and workup for the infant who presents with a brief resolved unexplained event.

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Tie on your bib and get ready for some serious knowledge food about infant nutrition with Dr. Joan Meek! We discuss normal newborn feeding and voiding patterns, the benefits of breastfeeding, and how to counsel families about their options for supplementation. Dr. Meek also tells us about some of the origins of and existing structures driving disparities in breastfeeding. And don’t miss our feeding frenzy rapid fire questions at the end. You’ll leave this episode like an infant who just finished eating--burping yet satisfied!

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Get ready for a Nap-tastic episode that will feed your parenting knowledge and potty humor! Join us and expert guest Dr. Tanya Altmann (@DrTanyaAltmann) as we unravel the secrets of infant sleep, tackle the picky eating habits of little ones, and flush out the best tips for stress-free potty training. It's a diaper-changing experience you won't want to miss!

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Come learn about the most prescribed medicine in pediatrics, IV fluids! Dr. Michelle Starr (Indiana) returns to teach us about maintenance fluids, adding electrolytes to fluids, and why Justin shouldn’t worry so much about his medical decision-making. Listen now to find out if you’d like to be a member of Team LR!

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Dive into one of the most common pediatric problems, bronchiolitis, with our guest Dr. Brian Alverson. In this episode, we review the workup of bronchiolitis, including the role of the chest x-ray, RPP, CBC, and more. We also discuss the evidence behind treatments such as albuterol, steroids, and high flow nasal cannula. Listen to hear more about this breathtaking topic.

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Dr. Paul Aronson (Yale) joins the Cribsiders to help interpret the AAP’s new Febrile Infant Guidelines (July 2021) in this jam-packed episode. He teaches us about the new 22-28 day-old group, updated antibiotic recommendations, other major changes in the guidelines, and the evidence behind it all.

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Kim Schamel, medical director of the Newborn Assessment Nursery at Washington University/St. Louis Children’s Hospital, walks us through newborn nursery 101! She gives pointers for the newborn physical exam, counseling strategies for safe sleep, gives us a framework for evaluating neonatal weight loss, and so much more. From the golden hour to the discharge talk and everything in between, she reminds us that when it comes to healthy babies, just feed them, love them, and don’t shake them!

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How long are you planning to see your medically complex teen? 18, 26, 35, or even 60? Recorded live at the 2026 AMPP (Association of Med-Peds Physicians) National Conference, the team sits down with Dr. Megumi “Megi” Okumura (UCSF) to discuss Transitions of Care from pediatric to adult providers. Dr. Okumura unpacks the difference between transition and transfer, navigates the practical landmines around insurance and legal decision-making, and reminds us that the only wrong thing is to do nothing. Bring your bamboo — we’re bending, not breaking.

Hip, hip, hooray - it’s time to click into developmental dysplasia of the hip! In this episode, the Cribsiders break down how to spot hips that slip, slide, or simply don’t sit right in the socket. From mastering your Ortolani to knowing when to harness the moment (hello, Pavlik), we’ve got you covered from newborn exam to walking woes. Tune in for can’t-miss pearls that will keep your hip exams on point and your clinical skills in alignment.

In this episode, we break down biliary atresia from bilirubin metabolism basics and the differences between conjugated and direct bilirubin. We cover practical and novel screening tools for the primary care provider to ensure prompt diagnosis, as well as next steps for confirmatory diagnosis. We finally dive into the Kasai Procedure, which if done early, is a life saving procedure which can delay and even prevent liver transplantation. 

Recorded live at Grand Rounds at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center—our first episode from the stage! In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Green joins the team to discuss the rapidly evolving treatment landscape for pediatric obesity. We discuss GLP-1 receptor agonists, focusing on how these medications work, when they should be used, and how clinicians can integrate them into comprehensive obesity care.

Uh oh, your patient answered yes to Question #9 on the PHQ-9? We join John Ackerman, PhD, ABPP and Elizabeth Kleinhenz, MSW, MPH, LISW from the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at Nationwide Children's Hospital to shed light on non-suicidal self-injury, suicide risk assessment, and safety planning in adolescents. From universal screening to individualized safety plans, this episode will leave you feeling more confident and equipped to handle mental health crises.

Recap and review the top pearls from episodes #120: Muscular Dystrophy, #141: Cerebral Palsy from Birth to Adolescence & #126: Trisomy 21 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.

Stop the bleed and master the mucosal nuances of pediatric epistaxis in this high-yield session! We are joined by Pediatric Otolaryngologist Dr. Jennifer Lavin to deconstruct everything from the superficial vessels of Kiesselbach’s plexus to the rare, high-stakes diagnosis of Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma. Discover how to avoid incorrectly applied pressure, how to effectively utilize oxymetazoline, and exactly when to pivot to absorbable packing. This episode delivers the durable reference tools you need to handle any nosebleed with total clinical confidence.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! In this episode, we learn all about HIV prevention in adolescents with our guest, Dr. Alex Golec of Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. We break down the indications, treatment options, and monitoring of prescribing pre and post-exposure prophylaxis in the outpatient setting. We even talk about STI prevention with DoxyPEP! 

Overwhelmed by the youth mental health crisis? Join us this episode to discuss innovative opportunities to improve access to mental and behavioral health services across the lifespan. Addressing youth mental health is a team sport. To tackle this important and challenging topic, we’re joined by two special guests: Dr. Colette Desrochers (an experienced primary care pediatrician and educator) and Dr. Jen Mautone (an expert researcher and clinician in integrated behavioral health). We discuss current barriers to care, models for addressing these barriers, key outcomes, and considerations for implementation. Come join us in bridging the gap! 

Get ready to breathe easy with this lively Cribsiders episode on non-invasive respiratory support in pediatrics! We’re joined by the incredible Dr. Michelle Perez from Montefiore, who breaks down the fundamentals of CPAP, BiPAP and HFNC. From choosing the right modality to knowing when it’s time to escalate, this episode will help you support little lungs without jumping straight to the tube. 

Dr. Erdei is a triple board certified physician (neonatology, pediatrics, and developmental-behavioral pediatrics!) who talks us through high risk infant clinic! There is no one-size-fits-all approach to NICU follow-up, so Dr. Erdei draws on her years of experience to share the set-up of her own clinic. We talk about common challenges like evaluating adequate growth, preterm formulas/fortifiers, feeding intolerance, neurodevelopmental assessments and her expert advice for helping babies thrive in their family unit once they go home!

In this episode, we are joined by pediatric dermatologist Dr. Sonal Shah to review vascular anomalies. Learn how to diagnose, evaluate, and treat lesions including infantile hemangiomas and capillary malformations.

In this episode, Dr. Janetta Arellano (Children’s hospital of Orange County) joins us to take a deep dive into ADEM. We discuss the key features, diagnostic approach, and management of ADEM, with important pearls for distinguishing it from other neurologic emergencies.

Hold onto your pancreas! Diabetes technology is rapidly evolving, so pump up your knowledge with med-peds endocrinologist and Type 1 diabetes superstar Dr. Rebecca Vitale (UNC Chapel Hill). This discussion about CGMs, insulin pumps, and automated insulin delivery systems hits the sweet spot!

Join us this week for a fantastic discussion about neuroblastoma courtesy of our guest, Dr. Brittany Greene of Seattle Children’s Hospital. We discuss common presenting symptoms, work-up, and the nuance of stage-specific treatment! 

Join us in this episode with expert guest Dr. Mahvish Rahim (the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore) as we dive into the rapidly evolving world of curative and transformative therapies for sickle cell disease! From breaking down the science behind stem cell transplant and gene therapy to understanding how to choose the right candidates and counsel families, Dr. Rahim brings clarity to this exciting new era in SCD care.

What happens when the dreaded “Is there a doctor on board?” call rings out at 35,000 feet? On this high-altitude episode, we’re joined by Dr. Ann Marshburn, pediatric hospitalist, former NASA researcher, and pilot, to explore the unique world of in-flight medical emergencies. We cover what you need to know before stepping forward, the equipment and resources available on planes, the medical conditions you’re most likely to encounter, and how to keep your cool when turbulence isn’t the only problem.

In this episode, we explore how pediatricians can create safe, inclusive spaces for discussing sexual health. Our hosts review evidence-based recommendations for STI screening and treatment, emphasizing how to tailor care to the diverse needs of young patients. We also discuss practical approaches to communicating results, preserving confidentiality, and empowering youth with tools for STI prevention.

In this episode, Dr. Kahleb Graham (Cincinnati) joins us to chew on functional abdominal pain. Together, we explore the GI tract and the many symptoms that can result from poor gut-brain communication! From diagnosis to management, this episode is packed full of digestible insights!

In this episode, Dr. Vincent Mukkada (Cincinnati) joins us to demystify eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Together, we explore how to take a good history in children in whom EoE is suspected, treatment strategies, and innovations for ongoing monitoring. Whether you’re managing the initial diagnosis or ongoing care for these patients, the conversation won’t get stuck thanks to an episode full of helpful information for you!

General pediatricians should feel empowered to initiate and manage contraception for their adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients. This episode will help listeners tailor counseling to each patient’s priorities, weigh the benefits and drawbacks of different methods, and address emergency contraception.

Recap and review the top pearls from episodes #35 Atopic Dermatitis, #82 Tinea, and #95 Acne 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.

This week we take a closer look at Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) -  from screening and staging to treatment and long-term outcomes. Join us as we shine some light on this sight-saving topic with insights from Dr. Nimesh Patel - Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and the director of Pediatric Vitreoretinal Surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital. You won’t believe your eyes at how much there is to see in the world of ROP care!