Pediatrics

How vaccine hesitancy is bringing back deadly childhood diseases

Conditions
March 19, 2025

Measles was first identified as a virus in the early 20th century. This disease caused significant morbidity and mortality. A measles vaccine was first introduced in 1963, using a live virus strain developed from a child who had measles.

In the 1970s and 1980s, many countries began implementing widespread measles vaccination programs as part of their childhood immunization schedules. The measles vaccine is usually administered as a combination vaccine, …

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How self-care makes you a better parent

Conditions
March 17, 2025

An excerpt from Lighthouse Parenting: Raising Your Child With Loving Guidance for a Lifelong Bond published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Your well-being allows you to be emotionally available for your child. Full stop.

Children demonstrate they care about us from the very early years. How did your preschooler demonstrate their empathy to you? Did they stroke your hair to comfort you? Did they offer you kisses and hugs? (If …

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Why ADHD kids struggle and how we can truly help

Conditions
March 6, 2025

How do I talk to my kid about ADHD?

You’re not alone. Your child’s pediatrician should be your first stop in this journey. As a neurospicy pediatric neurologist with an ADHD child, this is how I discuss this topic with my patients and their families.

The first thing I ask my patients is, “Are you trying harder?” Because that’s what we keep telling them to do—try harder! Every single child nods eagerly …

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Our transgender patients need our advocacy now

Physician
March 5, 2025

(I will speak here specifically about transgender folks, but also affected are those born intersex and those who identify as non-binary.)

We, as physicians, have a duty to do what is right for our patients. Most, if not all of us, entered this profession with the great intention of helping others with scientifically proven treatments in order to limit or relieve illness and suffering.

LGBTQ+ members of our society have long faced …

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Learning the language of medicine: from student to fluent physician

Physician
March 2, 2025

Medicine is a language.

Medicine is many things: an art, a science, a vocation, and a calling. A good way to make a difference, a hard way to make a living. But medicine is also a language.

We learn it the way we learn any language: from the ground up. We start with the fundamentals, the vocabulary of medicine—anatomy, biochemistry, physiology—and work our way up to the sentence level: pharmacology, immunology, neuroscience. …

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Enhancing early language skills with focused attention [PODCAST]

Podcast
February 27, 2025
YouTube video

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Pediatrician John D. Michael discusses his article, “How attention therapy transforms speech delay in young children.” In this engaging conversation, John explains that sustained attention is crucial for developing effective speech and …

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Tobacco tactics in modern cannabis marketing [PODCAST]

Podcast
February 26, 2025
YouTube video

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Pediatrician Gary Kirkilas discusses his article, “Cannabis advertising takes a page from the tobacco playbook.” In this conversation, Gary explains how legal cannabis companies are adopting tactics once used by tobacco companies …

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How childhood pain shaped a neurologist’s path to healing

Physician
February 22, 2025

Childhood medical challenges can leave lasting imprints, not only on the child but also on those inspired to turn their personal struggles into a path of healing. This narrative explores the transformative journey of a pediatric neurologist whose early encounters with debilitating pain shaped a career rooted in empathy and innovation. Three key themes define this journey: The influence of personal adversity on career choice, the role of resilience in …

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Advocating for immigrant children: a doctor’s perspective

Physician
February 19, 2025

As a rising developmental pediatrician, I often become a small part of a life-changing moment in my patients’ lives. I help them navigate the challenges of autism, ADHD, and other developmental disabilities. I celebrate their successes and offer support during their struggles.

Like myself, most of the patients I serve come from immigrant backgrounds, and English is not their first language. We work through tears and frustrations but also hang onto …

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As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces confirmation, a look at his vaccine stance

Physician
January 29, 2025

The nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services raises concerns about the potential impact on public health policy. As hearings on his candidacy take place, it is important for senators to consider how his views and public statements have influenced physicians, children, and the broader health care system.

Kennedy has been a prominent figure in the discussion around vaccines, often promoting claims that contradict established …

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When “do no harm” falls short: a pediatrician’s plea for long COVID care [PODCAST]

Podcast
January 27, 2025
YouTube video

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Navigating the uncharted waters of long COVID in children, Elham Raker shares a deeply personal journey of advocating for her daughter’s health while questioning the medical system’s approach to chronic illness. This episode …

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What early retirement taught me about burnout and purpose [PODCAST]

Podcast
January 25, 2025
YouTube video

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Susan Landers shares her heartfelt journey as a neonatologist navigating the challenges of burnout, the rewards of practicing medicine, and the complex emotions surrounding early retirement. From her intimate experiences in the NICU …

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How natural disasters reveal resilience and the power of community

Physician
January 21, 2025

Watching the images of fires burning in and around Los Angeles is very triggering. I’m sure it is the same for other Western North Carolinians. It has not been that long since Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic flooding that devastated our communities, and it is not over for us.

At first, you are energized to do what needs to be done in the moment. But then, you are left with emptiness, exhaustion, …

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How attention therapy transforms speech delay in young children

Conditions
January 17, 2025

In order to develop good speech and conversation skills, a child must pay attention to the speaker and respond back when spoken to. The importance of sustained attention, listening to, and focusing on another person by the young child is often overlooked and not recognized by parents and therapists alike. Many children with a speech delay and those with suspected autism show decreased attention along with their speech delay. Many …

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The hidden crisis: congenital heart diseases in low and middle-income countries

Conditions
January 16, 2025

The cries of a newborn baby are usually a sign of life and hope, but for many families in low and middle-income countries, these cries can signal the beginning of a long and arduous journey. Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are a significant health burden, particularly in these regions, where they account for the highest years of disability. Despite advancements in medical science, the incidence of CHDs remains constant or may …

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Christmas in a children’s hospital

Physician
December 25, 2024

In December, the questions parents ask in the hospital are different. Instead of “Will my child be OK?” we pediatric hospitalists hear:

“We have plane tickets to go skiing for Christmas. Will he be well by then?”

“She’ll be home for Christmas, right? We’ve never been away from home for Christmas.”

“It’s his first Christmas. He’ll be discharged by then, right?”

And every other variation you can think of. The hospital for Christmas is …

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How early intervention changes the game for children with developmental delays [PODCAST]

Podcast
December 21, 2024
YouTube video

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We explore the critical role of early intervention programs in supporting children with developmental delays. Pediatrician Maria Mba Wright shares insights into recognizing red flags like poor joint attention, navigating therapy options, and …

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Doctors must rethink “do no harm” to help children with long COVID

Conditions
December 16, 2024

As medical students, we all take the Hippocratic oath—a pledge to help patients and, of course, not to cause harm in any treatments we provide. It is a core element in the care of our patients. We would never want to do anything that could make things worse. But is it that simple?

As medical diseases have become more and more complex, can we ethically say we will not offer a …

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Perspective-taking in medicine: an important tool for educators to remember

Physician
December 14, 2024

I wrote an opinion piece, as a graduating medical student, in KevinMD a little over six years ago, expressing the importance of supporting medical students through confidence and encouragement. As a pediatric attending now, with my own trainees, I continue to support this “ask,” but I would love to add to it and give it a different perspective.

I recently realized that I have been feeling quite far removed from …

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