Pediatric Voices tells the stories of the people who make up the Duke Children’s team and provides the latest insights into the science and practice of pediatric healthcare. In this episode, co-hosts Angelo Milazzo and Richard Chung reflect on the role of podcasting in disseminating trustworthy health information to patients and families and examine the rapidly evolving ecosystem of health information, including online resources, social media, and artificial intelligence. They also reflect on the enduring value of human relationships as the foundation for using modern health information tools responsibly and well.

Celiac disease has entered the public consciousness on a wave of confusion, concern, and misinformation. This condition may begin in childhood with troublesome symptoms, with life-long implications for growth and health if not identified and managed appropriately. Dr. Narayanan Venkatasubramani and Registered Dietitian Leslie Stanford discuss the diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease (and tease it apart from gluten sensitivity and wheat protein allergy), share some of the tips and tricks for navigating a gluten-free existence, and dispel some of the misunderstandings around this chronic disease.

The growth and development of the muscles and bones, and the joints, tendons, and ligaments that connect them, is an important part of childhood health. In this episode, Dr. Robert Lark—a pediatric orthopedic surgeon—discusses the evaluation and treatment of scoliosis, including the modern approach to non-surgical and surgical treatment, recovery, and return to sports and other activities. He also helps us navigate some of the controversies, including leg lengthening, that patients and families are struggling with.

Hospitalizations can be incredibly stressful experiences for children and youth, and effective coping requires expert care and support from the whole healthcare team. Child life specialists play an integral role, supporting children and youth in understanding and coping with their illness experiences in a developmentally appropriate way. In this episode, Renee Hunte, the Child and Adolescent Life Manager at Duke Children’s, shares about the deeply impactful work of her team.

Today's youth are struggling with profound mental health challenges, and youth in Latino communities are no exception. In this conversation, Dr. Luke Smith, Lauren Goslin, and Dr. Gabriela Maradiaga Panayotti share key insights into the experiences of Latino youth and families including challenges they often face in seeking and receiving needed care and support as well as the beauty and resilience that emerge despite such challenges. Learn how all of us, regardless of our heritage or training, can strengthen the fabric of our diverse communities and support young people during these challenging times.

The landscape of viral infections and immunizations for children and youth has evolved significantly. In this episode, Dr. Ganga Moorthy, a Pediatric Infectious Disease specialist, brings us up to speed on the latest developments to help keep kids safe in the midst of this respiratory virus season.

Wintertime is filled with holiday celebrations and other fun activities for children and youth. It also brings with it, however, risk of injuries and other health problems that in many cases can be prevented. In this episode, Dr. Emily Greenwald, an Emergency Medicine physician, returns to Pediatric Voices to provide critical insights and practical tips for families to keep kids safe during wintertime.

When parents and caregivers discuss diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice with children, they provide a roadmap for navigating human differences. If these issues are contextualized in a way that is relatable and accessible, children can draw meaningful conclusions about how we treat one another. In this episode, Dr. Jasmine Willis-Wallace shares her advice for starting and sustaining that dialogue, using familiar concepts that will resonate with children across the developmental span.

The surgical treatment of children with congenital heart disease is a monumental challenge, one which requires great technical ability, deep medical knowledge and an innovative spirit. At the intersection of cutting-edge research and collaborative, team-based care, heart diseases which were once routinely fatal are now treated as a matter of course. Dr. Joe Turek—a pediatric heart surgeon and a pioneer in the field—joins the program to discuss seismic developments he has led in the science and art of heart surgery for children.

October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month. While the precise cause of SIDS events remains unknown, there are many ways in which families can decrease the risk of SIDS and promote healthy sleep. Drs. Sophie Shaikh and Kristina Nazareth-Pidgeon, co-chairs of the Duke Safe Sleep Taskforce, share critical information and practical tips for families to keep infants safe during sleep.