Pediatric Oncofertility: From Cryopreservation to Future Fertility Solutions

In this segment from Lurie Children’s Hospital, Dr. Justin Ryder breaks down the evolving science and treatment paradigm of pediatric obesity—highlighting why it must be approached as a chronic, biologically driven disease rather than a lifestyle issue.Key Highlights:Obesity Is a Disease: Pediatric obesity is multifactorial, shaped by genetics, epigenetics, hormones, environment, stress, and socioeconomic factors. The newest AAP guidelines formally recognize obesity as a disease and recommend active treatment—not watchful waiting.Shift in Clinical Practice: Treatment should be offered to children above the 85th percentile BMI. The model has shifted from prevention-only efforts to a proactive, continuum-based care strategy.Continuum of Care: Management includes Intensive Health Behavior and Lifestyle Treatment (26+ contact hours), FDA-approved pharmacotherapy for adolescents, and bariatric surgery for select patients—each playing a role depending on severity and response.Efficacy & Challenges: GLP-1 medications demonstrate meaningful weight loss, and bariatric surgery shows durable BMI reduction and improvement in comorbidities. However, weight regain remains a significant biological challenge.MASLD & Long-Term Risk: Obesity is strongly linked to metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), affecting millions of youth and placing many at risk for cirrhosis, transplant, or hepatocellular carcinoma.Equity & Advocacy: Obesity disproportionately impacts children of color and those in under-resourced communities. Access to effective treatment—including medications—is a health equity issue that demands advocacy.This session reinforces that pediatric obesity requires early, evidence-based intervention, multidisciplinary care, and systemic advocacy to improve lifelong health outcomes.

In this educational video from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Dr. Monica Laronda explores the rapidly evolving field of pediatric oncofertility—highlighting how fertility preservation is becoming an essential part of care for children at risk of treatment-related infertility.Key Highlights:Why Fertility Preservation Matters: Cancer therapies and certain genetic conditions can lead to premature gonadal failure, significantly impacting future reproductive potential and long-term quality of life.Who Should Be Considered: Fertility preservation extends beyond oncology to include patients with conditions like Turner syndrome and gonadal dysgenesis—emphasizing early counseling regardless of risk level or prognosis.Current Clinical Options: Post-pubertal patients may undergo oocyte or sperm banking, while ovarian and testicular tissue cryopreservation offer options for younger patients who are not yet producing mature gametes.Risk Stratification: Fertility risk is assessed using treatment exposure (e.g., alkylating agents, radiation) and cumulative dosing, helping guide decision-making and timing of intervention.Program Growth & Outcomes: Lurie Children’s has performed hundreds of tissue cryopreservation procedures, demonstrating both feasibility and increasing national awareness of these options.Advances in Fertility Restoration: Ovarian tissue transplantation can restore hormone function and fertility, though risks—such as reintroducing malignant cells—remain a key limitation.Future Innovation: Cutting-edge research in ovarian tissue engineering, including 3D-printed bioprosthetic scaffolds, is paving the way for safer and more effective fertility restoration.This session highlights how multidisciplinary care, research innovation, and early intervention are reshaping the future of fertility preservation for pediatric patients.

In this special 50th episode of the Colorectal Quiz Podcast, Dr. Marc Levitt and an international panel review key takeaways from the 16th European Pediatric Colorectal Reconstruction Meeting in Stockholm, highlighting emerging ideas, evolving surgical techniques, and global perspectives in the care of children with colorectal conditions. Key Highlights:Early Irrigation Training in Hirschsprung’s Disease: Some centers are beginning irrigation competency even before ostomy takedown, helping families and patients adapt earlier and potentially reducing post-operative enterocolitis risk.Advances in Surgical Technology: Innovations such as robotic-assisted surgery and ICG fluorescence imaging are improving visualization of blood supply during pull-through procedures, helping surgeons reduce complications like leaks and ischemia.New Diagnostic Concepts: High-frequency ultrasound may help measure bowel wall muscle thickness to identify aganglionic segments, potentially supporting or supplementing traditional biopsy-based diagnosis.Understanding Enterocolitis Risk: Emerging research suggests that reduced mucus protection in proximal bowel segments and mechanical stress on the bowel wall may contribute to microbial imbalance and breakdown of the intestinal barrier.The Power of Nursing and Multidisciplinary Care: Dedicated colorectal nursing programs and global case discussions highlighted how long-term outcomes depend not only on surgical technique but also on ongoing bowel management, education, and coordinated care.Evolving Techniques for Anorectal Malformations: New procedures such as perineal-preserving PSARP and posterior rectal advancement anoplasty (PRAA) aim to reduce complications while improving functional outcomes.Transition to Adult Care: Experts emphasized the need for stronger transition programs and multidisciplinary teams—including gynecology, urology, and sexual health specialists—to support patients with congenital colorectal conditions into adulthood.This episode offers a global snapshot of how pediatric colorectal care continues to evolve through collaboration, innovation, and shared clinical experience.

We’re back with 27th episode of "Quick Literature Updates" the podcast series that delivers the latest updates in pediatric surgery literature in a quick and digestible format. In each episode, we review articles covering the most interesting and relevant topics in the field.These articles are either chosen by JPS editors or our collaborators. We present these reviews as short news pieces with a summarization of key points.Whether you're a trainee, attending, or an advanced medical professional, tune in to our podcast for a dose of medical knowledge in every episode. Stay up to date on the latest trends and advancements in pediatric surgery with "Quick Literature Updates".Host: Em GooteeNCBI - WWW Error Blocked Diagnosticvan Hal ARL, Aanen IP, Wijnen RMH, Pullens B, Vlot J. The Value of Preoperative Rigid Tracheobronchoscopy for the Diagnosis of Tracheomalacia in Oesophageal Atresia Patients. J Pediatr Surg. 2024 Nov;59(11):161620. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2024.07.005. Epub 2024 Jul 14. PMID: 39089893.NCBI - WWW Error Blocked DiagnosticMena R, Guillén G, Lopez-Fernandez S, Martos Rodríguez M, Ruiz CW, Montaner-Ramon A, López M, Molino JA. Conservative Management of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Newborns: Incidence and Management of Intestinal Strictures. Eur J Pediatr Surg. 2025 Jun;35(3):224-231. doi: 10.1055/a-2426-9723. Epub 2024 Sep 30. PMID: 39348873.NCBI - WWW Error Blocked DiagnosticHundscheid T, Onland W, Kooi EMW, Vijlbrief DC, de Vries WB, Dijkman KP, van Kaam AH, Villamor E, Kroon AA, Visser R, Mulder-de Tollenaer SM, De Bisschop B, Dijk PH, Avino D, Hocq C, Zecic A, Meeus M, de Baat T, Derriks F, Henriksen TB, Kyng KJ, Donders R, Nuytemans DHGM, Van Overmeire B, Mulder AL, de Boode WP; BeNeDuctus Trial Investigators. Expectant Management or Early Ibuprofen for Patent Ductus Arteriosus. N Engl J Med. 2023 Mar 16;388(11):980-990. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2207418. Epub 2022 Dec 6. PMID: 36477458.

We’re back with 26th episode of "Quick Literature Updates" the podcast series that delivers the latest updates in pediatric surgery literature in a quick and digestible format. In each episode, we review articles covering the most interesting and relevant topics in the field.These articles are either chosen by JPS editors or our collaborators. We present these reviews as short news pieces with a summarization of key points.Whether you're a trainee, attending, or an advanced medical professional, tune in to our podcast for a dose of medical knowledge in every episode. Stay up to date on the latest trends and advancements in pediatric surgery with "Quick Literature Updates".Host: Em Gooteehttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39826968/St Peter SD, Noel-MacDonnell JR, Hall NJ, Eaton S, Suominen JS, Wester T, Svensson JF, Almström M, Muenks EP, Beaudin M, Piché N, Brindle M, MacRobie A, Keijzer R, Engstrand Lilja H, Kassa AM, Jancelewicz T, Butter A, Davidson J, Skarsgard E, Te-Lu Y, Nah S, Willan AR, Pierro A. Appendicectomy versus antibiotics for acute uncomplicated appendicitis in children: an open-label, international, multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority trial. Lancet. 2025 Jan 18;405(10474):233-240. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)02420-6. Erratum in: Lancet. 2025 Feb 8;405(10477):468. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(25)00206-5. PMID: 39826968.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40032536/Xu TO, Hanke RE, Das K, Bowser M, Hisam B, Samuk I, Wissanji H, Teeple E, Mayhew A, Myseros JS, Badillo A, Levitt MA, Varda BK, Feng C. VACTERL Screening in Newborns With Anorectal Malformations - An Opportunity to Optimize Screening Practices, add Gynecologic and Spinal Conditions, and Utilize a New Acronym: VACTE(G)RLS. J Pediatr Surg. 2025 Jun;60(6):162252. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2025.162252. Epub 2025 Feb 20. PMID: 40032536.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38245889/Schlapbach LJ, Watson RS, Sorce LR, Argent AC, Menon K, Hall MW, Akech S, Albers DJ, Alpern ER, Balamuth F, Bembea M, Biban P, Carrol ED, Chiotos K, Chisti MJ, DeWitt PE, Evans I, Flauzino de Oliveira C, Horvat CM, Inwald D, Ishimine P, Jaramillo-Bustamante JC, Levin M, Lodha R, Martin B, Nadel S, Nakagawa S, Peters MJ, Randolph AG, Ranjit S, Rebull MN, Russell S, Scott HF, de Souza DC, Tissieres P, Weiss SL, Wiens MO, Wynn JL, Kissoon N, Zimmerman JJ, Sanchez-Pinto LN, Bennett TD; Society of Critical Care Medicine Pediatric Sepsis Definition Task Force. International Consensus Criteria for Pediatric Sepsis and Septic Shock. JAMA. 2024 Feb 27;331(8):665-674. doi: 10.1001/jama.2024.0179. PMID: 38245889; PMCID: PMC10900966.

We’re back with 25th episode of "Quick Literature Updates" the podcast series that delivers the latest updates in pediatric surgery literature in a quick and digestible format. In each episode, we review articles covering the most interesting and relevant topics in the field.These articles are either chosen by JPS editors or our collaborators. We present these reviews as short news pieces with a summarization of key points.Whether you're a trainee, attending, or an advanced medical professional, tune in to our podcast for a dose of medical knowledge in every episode. Stay up to date on the latest trends and advancements in pediatric surgery with "Quick Literature Updates".Host: Em Gooteehttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38914511/Huerta CT, Beres AL, Englum BR, Gonzalez K, Levene T, Wakeman D, Yousef Y, Gulack BC, Chang HL, Christison-Lagay ER, Ham PB 3rd, Mansfield SA, Kulaylat AN, Lucas DJ, Rentea RM, Pennell CP, Sulkowski JP, Russell KW, Ricca RL, Kelley-Quon LI, Tashiro J, Rialon KL; American Pediatric Surgical Association Outcomes and Evidence-Based Practice Committee. Management and Outcomes of Pediatric Lymphatic Malformations: A Systematic Review From the APSA Outcomes and Evidence-Based Practice Committee. J Pediatr Surg. 2024 Oct;59(10):161589. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2024.05.019. Epub 2024 Jun 6. PMID: 38914511.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39743432/Moturu A, Coleman M, Mets C, Thompson V, Grant C, Ko CY, Saito JM, Berman L, Wakeman D. Identifying Quality Improvement Targets After Pediatric Gastrostomy Tube Insertion: A NSQIP-Pediatric Pilot Study. J Pediatr Surg. 2025 Jun;60(6):162107. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2024.162107. Epub 2024 Dec 17. PMID: 39743432.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38733138/Kollin C, Nordenskjöld A, Ritzén M. Testicular volume at puberty in boys with congenital cryptorchidism randomised to treatment at different ages. Acta Paediatr. 2024 Aug;113(8):1949-1956. doi: 10.1111/apa.17270. Epub 2024 May 11. PMID: 38733138.

We’re back with 24th episode of "Quick Literature Updates" the podcast series that delivers the latest updates in pediatric surgery literature in a quick and digestible format. In each episode, we review articles covering the most interesting and relevant topics in the field.These articles are either chosen by JPS editors or our collaborators. We present these reviews as short news pieces with a summarization of key points.Whether you're a trainee, attending, or an advanced medical professional, tune in to our podcast for a dose of medical knowledge in every episode. Stay up to date on the latest trends and advancements in pediatric surgery with "Quick Literature Updates".Host: Em Gooteehttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38914509/Donati F, Cipriani MS, Pistorio A, Guerriero V, Mattioli G, Torre M. Pectus Bar Dislocation: Comparison Between Three Different Stabilization Techniques Adopted in a Single Centre. J Pediatr Surg. 2024 Oct;59(10):161591. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2024.05.021. Epub 2024 Jun 4. PMID: 38914509.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38834671/Males I, Boban Z, Kumric M, Vrdoljak J, Berkovic K, Pogorelic Z, Bozic J. Applying an explainable machine learning model might reduce the number of negative appendectomies in pediatric patients with a high probability of acute appendicitis. Sci Rep. 2024 Jun 4;14(1):12772. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-63513-x. PMID: 38834671; PMCID: PMC11150468.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37957103/Rauh J, Dantes G, Wallace M, Collings A, Sanin GD, Cambronero GE, Bosley ME, Ganapathy AS, Patterson JW, Ignacio R, Knod JL, Slater B, Callier K, Livingston MH, Alemayehu H, Dukleska K, Scholz S, Santore MT, Zamora IJ, Neff LP. Transcystic Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration for Pediatric Patients with Choledocholithiasis: A Multi-Center Study. J Pediatr Surg. 2024 Mar;59(3):389-392. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2023.10.046. Epub 2023 Oct 21. PMID: 37957103.

We’re back with 23rd episode of "Quick Literature Updates" the podcast series that delivers the latest updates in pediatric surgery literature in a quick and digestible format. In each episode, we review articles covering the most interesting and relevant topics in the field.These articles are either chosen by JPS editors or our collaborators. We present these reviews as short news pieces with a summarization of key points.Whether you're a trainee, attending, or an advanced medical professional, tune in to our podcast for a dose of medical knowledge in every episode. Stay up to date on the latest trends and advancements in pediatric surgery with "Quick Literature Updates".Host: Em Gootee0:00 Introduction0:39 Locum Tenens and Pediatric Surgery: A Position Statement and Practice Guidelines From the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA)1:40 Validation of the Clavien-Madadi Classification for Unexpected Events in Pediatric Surgery: A Collaborative ERNICA Project2:50 Transitional Care in Anorectal Malformation and Hirschsprung's Disease: A Systematic Review of Challenges and Solutions4:03 Outrohttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38806318/Fahy AS, Klima DA, Gillam MM, Aprahamian CJ, Kim SS, Kokoska ER, Teeple EA, Weiss RG, Escobar MA Jr. Locum Tenens and Pediatric Surgery: A Position Statement and Practice Guidelines From the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA). J Pediatr Surg. 2024 Oct;59(10):161567. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2024.04.021. Epub 2024 May 8. PMID: 38806318.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38582705/Madadi-Sanjani O, Kuebler JF, Brendel J, Costanzo S, Granström AL, Aydin E, Loukogeorgakis S, Lacher M, Wiesner S, Domenghino A, Clavien PA, Mutanen A, Eaton S, Ure BM. Validation of the Clavien-Madadi Classification for Unexpected Events in Pediatric Surgery: A Collaborative ERNICA Project. J Pediatr Surg. 2024 Sep;59(9):1672-1679. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2024.03.022. Epub 2024 Mar 16. PMID: 38582705.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37996349/Plascevic J, Shah S, Tan YW. Transitional Care in Anorectal Malformation and Hirschsprung's Disease: A Systematic Review of Challenges and Solutions. J Pediatr Surg. 2024 Jun;59(6):1019-1027. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2023.10.066. Epub 2023 Nov 2. PMID: 37996349.

We’re back with 22nd episode of "Quick Literature Updates" the podcast series that delivers the latest updates in pediatric surgery literature in a quick and digestible format. In each episode, we review articles covering the most interesting and relevant topics in the field.These articles are either chosen by JPS editors or our collaborators. We present these reviews as short news pieces with a summarization of key points.Whether you're a trainee, attending, or an advanced medical professional, tune in to our podcast for a dose of medical knowledge in every episode. Stay up to date on the latest trends and advancements in pediatric surgery with "Quick Literature Updates".Host: Em Gootee0:00 Introduction0:39 The use of postoperative calibrations in Hirschsprung disease: a practice to reconsider?1:47 Management of Gastroschisis: Timing of Delivery, Antibiotic Usage, and Closure Considerations2:57 Treatment Facility Case Volume and Disparities in Outcomes of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Cases4:06 OutroNCBI - WWW Error Blocked DiagnosticBeati F, D'Angelo T, Iacusso C, Iacobelli BD, Scorletti F, Valfré L, Pellegrino C, Bagolan P, Conforti A, Fusaro F. The use of postoperative calibrations in Hirschsprung disease: a practice to reconsider? Pediatr Surg Int. 2024 Jul 5;40(1):176. doi: 10.1007/s00383-024-05761-6. PMID: 38967682.NCBI - WWW Error Blocked DiagnosticSlidell MB, McAteer J, Miniati D, Sømme S, Wakeman D, Rialon K, Lucas D, Beres A, Chang H, Englum B, Kawaguchi A, Gonzalez K, Speck E, Villalona G, Kulaylat A, Rentea R, Yousef Y, Darderian S, Acker S, St Peter S, Kelley-Quon L, Baird R, Baerg J. Management of Gastroschisis: Timing of Delivery, Antibiotic Usage, and Closure Considerations (A Systematic Review From the American Pediatric Surgical Association Outcomes & Evidence Based Practice Committee). J Pediatr Surg. 2024 Aug;59(8):1408-1417. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2024.03.044. Epub 2024 Apr 30. PMID: 38796391.NCBI - WWW Error Blocked DiagnosticPeiffer SE, Mehl SC, Powell P, Lee TC, Keswani SG, King A. Treatment Facility Case Volume and Disparities in Outcomes of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Cases. J Pediatr Surg. 2024 May;59(5):825-831. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2024.01.042. Epub 2024 Feb 4. PMID: 38413264.

We’re back with 21st episode of "Quick Literature Updates" the podcast series that delivers the latest updates in pediatric surgery literature in a quick and digestible format. In each episode, we review articles covering the most interesting and relevant topics in the field.These articles are either chosen by JPS editors or our collaborators. We present these reviews as short news pieces with a summarization of key points.Whether you're a trainee, attending, or an advanced medical professional, tune in to our podcast for a dose of medical knowledge in every episode. Stay up to date on the latest trends and advancements in pediatric surgery with "Quick Literature Updates".Host: Em GooteeNCBI - WWW Error Blocked DiagnosticLi S, Wang J, Li M, Zhang Z, Mi T, Wu X, Wang Z, Jin L, He D. Efficacy and late kidney effects of nephron-sparing surgery in the management of unilateral Wilms tumor: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pediatr Surg Int. 2023 Dec 27;40(1):29. doi: 10.1007/s00383-023-05611-x. PMID: 38150145.NCBI - WWW Error Blocked DiagnosticGillipelli SR, Pio L, Losty PD, Abdelhafeez AH. Female Fertility Cryopreservation Outcomes in Childhood Cancer: A Systematic Review. J Pediatr Surg. 2024 Aug;59(8):1564-1568. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2024.02.015. Epub 2024 Mar 1. PMID: 38519388.NCBI - WWW Error Blocked DiagnosticWitte AB, Van Arendonk K, Bergner C, Bantchev M, Falcone RA Jr, Moody S, Hartman HA, Evans E, Thakkar R, Patterson KN, Minneci PC, Mak GZ, Slidell MB, Johnson M, Landman MP, Markel TA, Leys CM, Cherney Stafford L, Draper J, Foley DS, Downard C, Skaggs TM, Lal DR, Gourlay D, Ehrlich PF. Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in High-Risk Pediatric Trauma Patients. JAMA Surg. 2024 Oct 1;159(10):1149-1156. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2024.2487. PMID: 39083300; PMCID: PMC11292570.