This month, we're discussing Somatic Symptom Disorder. Valley Children's hospitalist and Valley Children's Voice host Dr. Nicole Webb meets with pediatric neurologist Dr. Steven Ehrreich and pediatric psychologist Dr. Amanda Suplee to discuss the signs of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures and how to discuss this diagnoses with families. 

We can agree mental health is an important topic to discuss with patients, but how do we start this conversation? And what do we do when a patient, or their families, isn't open to the conversation?In this episode of Valley Children's Voice, Dr. Nicole Webb speaks with Valley Children's Pediatric Psychologist Dr. Yvette Segura and Valley Children's resident Dr. Pritha Dewanjee on their experiences discussing mental health with patients, and best ways to approach mental health conversations.Looking for resources to provide patients and families? 360me is a mental health initiative launched by Valley Children's Healthcare to help families, schools and communities safeguard our children’s physical and mental health. Learn more at valleychildrens.org/360me.

Safe sleep might seem like a well-understood topic, but we continue to see sleep related deaths. Why is that, and how can we as medical professionals best have important conversations on safe sleep with families?In today's episode, Dr. Nicole Webb discusses with Alyssa Webb, neonatal outreach and project coordinator, and Kristina Pasma, Valley Children's trauma nurse liaison and Safe Kids Central California coalition coordinator, what we see here in the Central Valley and how to best discuss safe sleep to families, as well as peers.**This episode discusses some Safe Sleep resources for families. Here are links to the mentioned resources:Safe Kids: safekids.orgCribs for Kids: cribsforkids.orgAmerican Academy of Pediatrics: aap.org/en/patient-care/safe-sleep

When a child comes in experiencing significant weight loss, nutritional deficiency or a lack of interest in food, they may be diagnosed with an eating disorder like anorexia nervosa. However, these symptoms overlap with a newer DSM-5 diagnosis: Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Children with ARFID go beyond the phases of a picky eater and while they display similar signs of other eating disorders, there are tell-tale differences, including no evidence of negative thoughts on the child’s body or a desire to lose weight.Valley Children’s VP of Academic Affairs and board certified in pediatric hospital medicine Dr. Jolie Limon hosts pediatric gastroenterologist Dr. Karla Au Yeung and pediatric psychologist Dr. Amanda Suplee in this episode of Valley Children’s Voice. Listen in as they discuss ARFID, how it differs from other eating disorders and the physical and psychological symptoms and risks.

Children who experience Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, are more likely to suffer from physical and emotional challenges during childhood, and into their adult life. In part two of this discussion, pediatric hospitalist Dr. Jolie Limon meets with complex care pediatrician Dr. Carmela Sosa, Valley Children’s Chief Resident and pediatrician Dr. Keenia Tappin, and Valley Children’s Child Advocacy Coordinator Jerica Ramos discuss the importance for screening for, and the impacts of, ACEs.

Children who experience Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, are more likely to suffer from physical and emotional challenges during childhood, and into their adult life. But what are ACEs and how do physicians screen for them? In the first part of this two-part discussion, pediatric hospitalist Dr. Jolie Limon meets with complex care pediatrician Dr. Carmela Sosa, Valley Children’s Chief Resident and pediatrician Dr. Keenia Tappin, and Valley Children’s Child Advocacy Coordinator Jerica Ramos to dive into the general understanding of ACEs, how and why one should screen and the impacts of these experiences. 

During the holiday season, you might find yourself stressed, overwhelmed and anxious. You are not alone, and during times like this, it’s more important than ever to consider the importance of taking care of your whole self.This month, host Dr. Nicole Webb chats with Dr. Merideth Wirstiuk, pediatric psychologist, and Dr. Kimberly Robertello, physician development specialist, on how they acknowledge their own wellness as physicians and parents, ways our own pediatric healthcare network focuses on wellbeing, and tips on focusing on you and your child’s whole self.  Valley Children’s blog, At The Heart, is a blog for parents and families. Dr. Merideth Wirstiuk recently authored a post on how it’s okay if it’s not the “most wonderful time of the year.” This blog post can be found here.

 As pediatricians, conversations and questions around a child being constipated are not uncommon. But what foods get a child to that point and when is constipation a red flag?In this episode, Dr. Nikki Webb speaks with Dr. Karla Au Yeung, pediatric gastroenterologist, about pediatric constipation, causes, prescriptions and when should one refer to a gastroenterologist.Interested in learning more?  Dr. Karla Au Yeung will be virtually presenting  at 12:15pm PST on  Wednesday, December 29 . Register for this CME lecture, Working Out the Ouchies! Abdominal Pain in Children, here.

Dogma: A belief held to be true by a group, that is put forth as authoritative without adequate grounds.As physicians, there are things we are taught and practice just because "that's the way it is." During this episode of Valley Children's Voice, Dr. Nicole Webb and Dr. Shea Osburn discuss various pediatric Dogmas and how having a questioning attitude can make you a better professional. 

When we look at the Central Valley a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, what are we seeing? Valley Children's pediatric hospitalist Dr. Nicole Webb met with pediatric infectious disease specialist  Dr. Karen Dahl, pediatric hospitalist Dr. Shea Osburn, and complex care pediatrician Dr. Carmela Sosa to discuss what we're seeing in the different areas of Valley Children's, including the impacts of COVID-19, vaccines, data and what we expect coming soon.