Childhood Trauma and Family Connection

In pediatrics, we often meet families during their most vulnerable moments such as illness, transition, fear and change. While pediatricians are trained to diagnose and manage disease, some of the most powerful interventions we offer don't come in a prescription bottle. They are found in the relationships we help build, strengthen and protect. In this episode, we're exploring how trauma, attachment and the family system are key to understanding patients. Benjamin Perks works for the United Nations in New York on human rights and child development and protection. He is a senior fellow at the Jubilee Centre at the University of Birmingham in the UK and an associate member of the department of social policy and innovation at the university of oxford. He is also the author of the book titled "Trauma Proof." Susan Caso is a licensed therapist, speaker and author. She serves as a board member and advisory for The Liv Project. She is the author of the book "The Parent-Teen Connection: How to Build Lifelong Family Relationships."  Some highlights from this episode include: What's driving disconnection between parents and teens   How trauma shows up in family relationships  How emotional safety in the home acts as a form of prevention  Trauma-informed shifts providers can make to improve trust and engagement  For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

Adolescence is full of firsts. Big questions about bodies, safety and choices rise to the surface. Contraception can feel intimidating for teens and complex for pediatricians. However, it's also a powerful touchpoint to shape safety, confidence and long-term health. In this episode, we're unpacking the role pediatricians play in guiding teens through reproductive care, where pediatricians can transform a potentially awkward moment into an opportunity for empowerment.    For this discussion, we're joined by Tricia Huguelet, MD. She is the section chief of the Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology at Children's Hospital Colorado. In addition to being a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, she is the program director for the Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Fellowship, and co-director of the Young Women Bleeding Disorders Program.  Some highlights from this episode include: When pediatricians should feel confident to prescribe contraception  How to handle consent and confidentiality  What methods would be best for each patient  Most common barriers to access  For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

Before the Friday night lights and before the season even begins, there's one appointment that can determine athletic eligibility: the pre-participation sports physical. For pediatricians, it's often treated like a checkbox but in reality, it's a powerful clinical moment. Sometimes it is the one chance to catch something that can change a life. In this episode, we explore how to turn the pre-participation physical from paperwork into prevention. We'll break down what really matters in the sports physical, what red flags to watch for and how to use this visit to protect young athletes and support families. Kristina Wilson, MD, and Nate Howel, MD, join us for this episode. Dr. Wilson is the Medical Director of the Sports Medicine Center at Children's Hospital Colorado and an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Howell specializes in primary care sports medicine and is also an Assistant Professor.  Some highlights from this episode include: Current guidelines and recommendations for the sports pre-participation physical  Why history matters during this exam  How to handle the same day "I need this form signed now" visit  How to best conduct this during a routine checkup    For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

GLP-1 medications have become an important part of adult obesity treatment and are now increasingly relevant in pediatric care. As new approvals emerge and clinical guidance continues to evolve, pediatricians are being asked to consider when, and for whom, these therapies may be appropriate. In this episode, we review the current evidence, discuss clinical considerations and examine the evolving role of GLP-1 medications in child and adolescents. Megan Kelsey, MD, is the medical director of both lifestyle medicine and adolescent bariatric surgery. Jaime Moore, MD, specializes in pediatric nutrition and obesity medicine. Both Drs. Moore and Kelsey are on the faculty here at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Some highlights from this episode include: How GLP-1s are changing lives for kids with obesity  Learning how they work and are administered  The average effect of these medications  The future of use as access to these medications becomes easier Below are some resources mentioned in this episode: Institute for Healthy Childhood Weight University of Minnesota: Virtual Advanced Therapies for Pediatric Obesity Conference For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

Circumcision is one of the most common procedures performed in newborns. For such a frequent procedure, it can stir up big conversations in the primary care office. How do you help families make informed decisions? What technique details really matter? What's the role of the pediatrician when something doesn't look quite right in the days that follow? In this episode, we're unpacking the real-world essentials of circumcision in primary care from evidence-based counseling to timing, pain control, and navigating those questionable moments. Kelly Harris, MD, and Brian Caldwell, MD, both specialize in urology at Children's Hospital Colorado. Dr. Harris is an assistant professor, and Dr. Caldwell is an associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine Some highlights from this episode include: How common circumcision is today Why the decision is very individualized to each family How pediatricians can support families in this decision-making process  Most common side effects  For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

A growth charts tell a story long before a child can. A sudden dip, a stubborn plateau, a pubertal spurt that arrives too early, or too late, can spark big questions. From short stature to rapid puberty, it's time to unpack the patterns, pitfalls and possibilities behind pediatric growth. We want to help you sort the reassuring from the concerning and recognize when an endocrinology referral can truly change the trajectory.  Animesh Sharma, MD, specializes in endocrinology at Children's Hospital Colorado, and is an assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.   Some highlights from this episode include: The most common growth concerns in primary care  How to identify a growth concern when patients are younger   What workups should be included when referring a patient to endocrinology  Understanding the layers of growth and how to calm parents' nerves  For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

When addressing obesity in the clinic, it's common to ask patients to focus on food and exercise. But what if we think upstream of the clinical problem and consider the environments, habits and systems that shape health from the very beginning? In this episode, we sit down with an expert whose research has focused on building resilience against obesity starting early in life. From family dynamics to school and community initiatives, the picture of prevention is complex.  Shari Barkin, MD, is the Pediatrician in Chief at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. She is also the Chair of the Department of Pediatrics, Executive Director of the Pediatric Institute, and the George W. Brumley Jr. Endowed Professor of Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine.  Some highlights from this episode include: How to influence eating behaviors in the first six months of life  The role of community involvement and partnerships in preventing childhood obesity  Translating research into practical strategies  Strong communication methods to engage families successfully  This episode is underwritten by Ovintiv, a proud philanthropic supporter of Charting Pediatrics and the Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation. Ovintiv recognizes that their responsibility begins in the communities where they live and work. They are committed to giving back and building safer and more resilient communities. Ovintiv's generous support has made a monumental difference for our patients and families, from enhancing health outcomes to reducing health disparities.  For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

Joint pain is a common concern in pediatric practice. If a child is limping after sports or describes vague aches and pains, it often points to a minor injury or a self-limited condition. But in some cases, joint pain may signal something more serious. The challenge for pediatricians is knowing how to distinguish benign, mechanical causes from symptoms that warrant further evaluation. In this episode, we explain how to identify red herrings versus true red flags in pediatric joint pain. While awaiting a rheumatology referral, we'll talk about what primary care pediatricians can do in the meantime to support children and families facing the possibility of arthritis.    This episode was recorded on the exhibit floor at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference in Denver, Colorado. Angela Chun, MD, is the associate program director for the Division of Rheumatology at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. She is also an assistant professor at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.  Some highlights from this episode include: The most common reasons for joint pain in children Understanding juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and how it presents Common pitfalls that may lead to misdiagnosis What providers can do in their offices before a referral  For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

Anxiety in children can serve as a safeguard or become profoundly disruptive. For pediatricians, distinguishing between developmentally appropriate worry, generalized anxiety disorder and clinically significant anxiety is rarely straightforward. In this episode, we explore how anxiety presents across childhood, why it is more than "just nerves" and how pediatricians can play a key role in early identification and support.  Benjamin Mullin, PhD, is the lead psychologist of the Colorado OCD and Anxiety Program (COAP) at Children's Hospital Colorado, as well as an associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is also the Leslie and William Vollbracht Family Chair in Stress and Anxiety Disorders.  Some highlights from this episode include:  The realities of anxiety in kids  When treatment is appropriate and when to refer   Helping families understand anxiety without stigmatizing or minimizing their children's experience  Strategies that work for long-term management   For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

From a newborn's first trip home to the day a teenager buckles into the driver's seat, car rides are milestones throughout childhood. Between those moments lie years of transition: rear-facing to forward-facing seats, boosters to seat belts, and countless opportunities for confusion, error and learning. This episode breaks down the latest recommendations in child passenger safety, addresses common misconceptions, and offers practical guidance pediatricians can use to help families keep children safe at every stage.  This episode was recorded on the exhibit floor of the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference in Denver, Colorado. Meghan Beucher, MD, is an assistant professor of emergency medicine and pediatrics, as well as a trained child passenger safety technician instructor, with Hasbro Children's Hospital and the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Raquel Denis, MD, is an assistant professor of pediatrics at Prisma Health and the University of South Carolina, as well as a child passenger safety technician.  Some highlights from this episode include: When to switch from rear facing to forward facing seats  Why medical guidance can differ from local laws How to best support families unfamiliar with car seat safety  Why recommendations have changed in recent years For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.