Growing Pains or Growth Problems?

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. 

In pediatric practice, few topics are as foundational and scientifically grounded as vaccinations. This season, a major shift in federal vaccine advisory guidance has sparked fresh discussion about how we protect infants from hepatitis B. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention's advisory committee on immunization practices voted to revise the more than 30-year guidance around the universal birth-dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine. In this episode, our goal is to provide clarity for clinicians on the best vaccination approach for our youngest patients.  For this important discussion, we are joined by Sean O'Leary, MD, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Children's Colorado, as well as a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is also chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Infectious Diseases, otherwise known as the Red Book Committee.  Some highlights from this episode include: The history of hepatitis B infection in children in the U.S.  Why the birth dose has been such a critical part of prevention  Breaking down the recent decision by the CDC advisory committee  Recommendations for this vaccine moving forward For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

Food is more than fuel. Its culture, comfort, connection and, increasingly, a source of confusion for families. Parents ask questions shaped by headlines, influencers and evolving dietary guidelines. Pediatricians aren't simply monitoring growth curves, they are helping families navigate a complex nutrition environment that influences children's health now and long into adulthood. In this episode, we explore how to navigate today's dietary landscape with clarity, compassion and evidence-based tools you can use in everyday practice, highlighting the importance of healthy eating.  This episode was recorded on the exhibit floor at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics Conference in Denver, Colorado. Praveen Goday, MD, is a gastroenterologist at Nationwide Children's Hospital, as well as the director of their nutrition and feeding programs. He is also a clinical professor at Ohio State University. Some highlights from this episode include: The current dietary landscape and the role of outside influences How the idea of health has changed throughout the years What best practices parents can use to positively influence their children  Hopes for the future of nutrition   For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

Water is essential to a child's health, making up the majority of their body weight. But when illness or heat disrupts that balance, dehydration can set in quickly and dangerously. Despite being one of the most common pediatric issues, the simplest and most effective solution often goes unnoticed: oral rehydration. In this episode, we'll shine a light on this powerful yet underused therapy. From recognizing early warning signs to selecting the best approach, we'll explore the science and practical tools behind keeping children safely hydrated. Joining us virtually from Iowa is Aamer Imdad, MD. He is a gastroenterologist at Stead Family Children's Hospital, as well as an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Iowa. Some highlights from this episode include: The most common causes for dehydration Recognizing the most reliable clinical signs for identifying dehydration How oral rehydration solutions work and which ones to recommend for each patient When lab tests are helpful For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

Childhood obesity management has evolved far beyond the traditional advice of "eat healthier and move more." Today's clinical toolbox includes GLP-1 medications, behavioral health interventions, multidisciplinary lifestyle programs and bariatric surgery. These evidence-based tools can be complex, nuanced, and sometimes controversial, but they share a common goal: supporting young people in achieving healthier lives. In this episode, we explore how modern treatment strategies come together to meet the needs of individual patients and families. Our guests discuss when and how to use these tools, the importance of coordinated care and what pediatricians should consider as this field continues to rapidly expand. Jonathan Hills-Dunlap, MD, is the Director of Robotics Surgery as well as the Surgical Director of the Bariatric Surgery Program at Children's Colorado. Megan Kelsey is the Medical Director of both Lifestyle Medicine and the Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program. Both are on faculty at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Some highlights from this episode include: The steps for being a bariatric surgery candidate How to best support obese patients and their journeys  Why a multidisciplinary approach is necessary For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org. 

Smartphones and tablets have become part of daily life for children and families, but their influence on sleep, attention, mood and overall development is increasingly under the microscope. From overstimulation and disrupted sleep patterns to rising concerns about anxiety and attention regulation, the research around screen time is rapidly evolving. In this episode, we take a closer look at the evidence behind how screens are shaping childhood and explore what pediatricians can do to help families find balance in an always-connected world. Rachel Workman, MD, is a Pediatric Integrative Medicine Specialist at Children's Hospital Colorado and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado. Some highlights from this episode include:  The negative impacts of screen time at a young age  How parents can strategically intervene  Why screen time is impacting development  What the research tells us For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.