Primary Care Perspectives

Pediatric Dentistry and Sleep Disorders (Episode 205)

In this episode, Andrew Cohen, DMD, who is board certified in dental sleep medicine and a comprehensive restorative dentist, explains how anatomy, behavior, and overall health impacts sleep-related breathing. We discuss common issues like mouth-breathing, teeth grinding, thumb-sucking, and extended pacifier use and how these impact dental health and sleep. For more information, visit the CHOP Sleep Center.

 

Opinions expressed in this episode are those of Andrew Cohen, DMD, and not necessarily representative of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Pediatric Asthma in Viral Season (Episode 204)

We learned a lot about pediatric asthma during the COVID-19 pandemic, including how significant the impact of viruses is on causing asthma flares. In this episode, Shikha Saxena, MD, from our Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Pulmonary Asthma Program, and Pulmonology and Allergy Personalized Asthma (PAPA) Clinic, discusses ways to help keep asthma in good control through the viral season. We discuss when to use inhaled corticosteroids, school-based management approaches, and navigating insurance coverage challenges. Also, Dr. Saxena reinforces the importance of getting a flu shot!

Football Protective Equipment and Concussion Risk (Episode 203)

Can you reduce the risk of concussion through specialized protective equipment? In this episode, two of our Minds Matter Concussion Program experts, Kristy Arbogast, PhD, and Christina Master, MD, FAAP, CAQSM, FACSM, FAMSSM, discuss whether the specialized equipment used by NFL players has evidence in pediatric athletes. We also learn other ways that parents, coaches, and trainers can mitigate concussion risk and how we can keep young athletes safe. This episode is a mix of physics and physical education classes, and you are certain to learn a lot about football protective equipment!

Oral Immunotherapy (Episode 202)

Imagine intentionally eating an allergen to re-teach your immune system to overcome this allergy? That's what our CHOP Allergists are doing in the Oral Immunotherapy Program and it is life changing science in practice! In this episode, Antonella Cianferoni, MD, PhD, explains oral immunotherapy including the immunologic process, the logistics for patients, and managing the risk of anaphylaxis. A great episode for providers and families!

SUDC: Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (Episode 201)

Less well known that SIDS, SUDC is a category of death for a child 12 months of age or older that remains unexplained after a thorough investigation. In this episode, Richard Goldstein, MD, Director of the Roberts Program on Sudden Unexplained Death in Pediatrics and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, teaches us more about SUDC including possible causes, how to navigate this diagnosis with families, and where the research is leading us. 

200th Episode Anniversary Special: 9 years of medical education podcasting at CHOP

A special surprise guest joins us for the 200th episode anniversary! In this episode we explore why CHOP started a medical education podcast, how topics/guests are chosen, and what impact the podcast has had on listeners. Get behind-the-scenes with host and creator, Katie Lockwood, MD, MEd, and learn about the important role of podcasting in medical education. 

Poison Control: Celebrating 40 years of poison prevention at CHOP

This year the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Poison Control Center celebrates it's 40th anniversary! In this episode, Fred Henretig, MD, one of the founders of the Poison Control Center reviews the history of how the Center came to be and it's role in keeping children safe and healthy in 2025. Robert Bassett, DO, teaches us about how the Poison Control Center operates and what the most common poisoning threats are today and how to prevent them. Meanwhile, Katie Lockwood, MD, MEd, shares that her family has called, so make sure you have 1-800-222-1222 saved in your phone and listen to this fascinating episode for more tips on poison prevention!

Dengue Fever (Episode 198)

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness that can have serious complications. In this episode, Lori Handy, MD, MSCE, an attending in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Associate Director of the Vaccine Education Center at CHOP, explains the symptoms of dengue, why the vaccine is uncommonly used, and how to manage fever in a returning traveler. With half of the world's population living where dengue is common, this is an important infection for us to all know about and keep on the differential!

Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (Episode 197)

Marijuana use by teens has been stable over the past few decades with 1 in 5 high schoolers using marijuana regularly. However, THC levels in marijuana have increased and we are seeing more Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS). In this episode, Adam Kronish, MD, explains current trends in marijuana use, the physiology of CHS, and what we can do in primary care to identify and manage this condition. 

Delivering Serious News: Advice from a pediatric hematologist and oncologist (Episode 196)

Delivering serious news is unfortunately a part of pediatrics. While some believe that we are inherently either good or bad at this skill, we know that is not true and that you can learn how to do this well. In this episode, Julie W. Stern, MD, the Director of Outreach Services with the Division of Oncology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, shares best practices and lessons learned from years of having difficult conversations.