Show Notes
A tired teen who struggles to get out of bed or a child whose growth is falling behind expectations, are familiar clinical problems, each with a differential diagnosis. Thyroid disorders are often on the differential for many common symptoms we see, yet thyroid disease rarely walks into the office announcing itself. Instead, thyroid disorders can hide in plain sight, disguised as other diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, delayed puberty, constipation or "just teenage hormones." In this episode, we've diving into the physiology, the pitfalls and the practical decisions behind pediatric thyroid care. Because when we understand the thyroid, we can protect long-term health. Maggie Chan, MD, is an endocrinologist at Children's Hospital Colorado, as well as an associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Some highlights from this episode include: Most common thyroid disorders in children How to differentiate between mental health symptoms versus thyroid symptoms When to screen and what labs to test for Three practical takeaways to utilize in clinic
For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.
More from Charting Pediatrics
Toilet training may seem like a simple developmental milestone until you're the pediatrician helping a family navigate accidents, resistance, constipation, regression, and the growing pressure to get it right. For many families, toilet training quickly stops being about developmental readiness and starts becoming a collision of pressure, comparison, preschool deadlines, power struggles, and late-night Googling. What seems like a simple milestone on the surface often turns into one of early childhood's most emotionally charged transitions. And for pediatricians, it remains one of the most common yet surprisingly nuanced conversations in clinical practice.
The NICU discharge is a milestone, but it's not the finish line. For children born prematurely, primary care plays a critical role in what comes next: tracking growth and development, recognizing ongoing health needs and helping families navigate the transition from intensive neonatal care to everyday childhood. But how should pediatricians adjust their approach? And what are the things we're at risk of missing? We're focusing on the practical side of caring for children born prematurely in the primary care setting, with the goal of helping pediatricians turn a complex NICU history into a clear, proactive care plan. Prematurity may shape the beginning of the story, but primary care helps shape what comes next.
An earache. A fussy toddler. A worried parent. And often, a familiar prescription: antibiotics. Acute otitis media is one of the most common reasons children receive antibiotics. But as we continue to better understand when antibiotics truly make a difference — and when children may do just as well without them — there's an opportunity to rethink what appropriate treatment looks like. So how can pediatricians confidently reduce unnecessary prescribing while still treating pain, addressing parents' concerns, and making sure the children who do need antibiotics get them? We'll answer that in this episode.
There was a time when the vaccine conversation in pediatrics felt straightforward: here's the schedule, here's what your child needs, and here's when they need it. Today, it's anything but simple. The recommendations are evolving. The vaccine schedule is under a microscope. New guidance is emerging around COVID-19 and RSV. And at the same time, pediatricians are sitting across from families who may be confused, skeptical or overwhelmed by what they're hearing online. So how do we make sense of all of it — and, perhaps more importantly, how do we talk about it?
Atopic dermatitis may be common, but it can be anything but simple. For children and their families, sleepless nights from persistent itch and discomfort from recurrent flares can take a real toll, and the treatment landscape is changing quickly. So, what do pediatricians need to know? In this episode, we'll unpack the latest American Academy of Dermatology guidelines for children, from daily skin care and topical treatments to when we need to intensify therapy.