Kids' Wellness Matters

 In recent years, science has shown us that obesity is a common health condition and it really goes beyond just nutrition and physical activity or just calories and calories out. There's so much more to it. In this episode, Dr. Maheen Quadri, a pediatrician and obesity medicine specialist at Lurie Children's, shares her insights into the multifaceted nature of childhood obesity, including genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors. Dr. Quadri offers practical tips for families, shares insights on the latest research, and highlights resources for promoting healthier habits among children.

Genetic screening and testing have advanced greatly over the last few decades. Dr. Mindy Li, a medical geneticist, and Annie McRae, a physician assistant and genetic counselor from Lurie Children's discuss the evolving nature of genetics, the value of genetic counseling, and the promising future of genetic testing and therapies.

Everyone poops. And when it comes to kids in health, poop is a big deal. In this episode,  Dr. Peter Osgood, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Lurie Children's and the founder of the iPoop Constipation Management Program, explains that constipation is one of the most common issues addressed in pediatrics and offers solutions to help "get things going."

The first year of a child's life can be exciting and overwhelming for parents, especially new parents. In this episode, Drs. Rob Sanchez and Nina Alfieri dive into what the first year of parenting really looks like, from key developmental milestones and tips to support your baby's growth to the unforgettable moments they've experienced firsthand as both pediatricians and parents. They dedicated a previous episode to caring for a newborn the first month of life and in this episode they continue the newborn's journey through the first year, with what signs to look for and how to support your baby's development while navigating the joys and challenges of raising a new child.   

Lurie Children's pediatricians Dr. Nina Alfieri and Dr. Rob Sanchez discuss important insights and advice for new parents navigating their first month with a newborn. From safe sleeping practices and feeding options, to understanding baby's growth and development and bowel movements, the conversation aims to equip new parents with the knowledge needed to confidently care for their newborns.

In this episode Dr. Michelle Macy, an attending physician of emergency medicine at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, covers a range of safety tips for common summer injuries, including heat-related concerns, water safety and road trip precautions. Dr. Macy provides practical evidence-based advice to help parents keep their children safe and healthy during the summer months.

This episode is for families who want to foster healthy relationships with digital devices. Dr. Alyssa Cohen, a pediatrician and health services researcher at Lurie Children's, explains the positive and negative impact media may have on child development, offering practical strategies for balancing screen use in the daily lives of families. Dr. Cohen also explains why not all screen time is created equal and offers practical tips for setting boundaries and building healthy habits.

More than half of school aged kids in the U.S.report playing on a sports team or taking sports related lessons in the past year and experts agree that youth sports not only help get kids physical activity, but can have a variety of psychological, social, and academic benefits. One downside is the potential injuries that come with playing sports or just being an active kid on the playground. On this episode of Kids Wellness Matters, Dr. Sigi Wolf talks about preventing sports injuries and when to bring your own young athlete into the doctor's office for medical care.

Sleep is just as important to your child's development and well-being as a balanced diet and exercise. Yet, establishing healthy sleep habits can be a challenge at every age and stage of childhood. In this episode, two experts from the Sleep Medicine Center at Lurie Children's, Dr. Irina Trosman and Allison Clarke, PhD, talk about common sleep-related issues and also bust myths about good sleep practices, from the use of melatonin in kids to the usefulness of power naps. Listen in for steps you can take to help everyone in your home get a good night's sleep.

Eating disorders have been on the rise in children and adolescents following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Eating Disorder Program at Lurie Children's is equipped to offer comprehensive care that is practical and tailored to meet the needs of this population. In this episode, Dr. Gregg Montalto, a leader in the Eating Disorders Program, talks about the complexities of eating disorders, emphasizing their nature as brain disorders rather than behavioral choices, discusses different types of eating disorders, the importance of early recognition and intervention and the need for equitable treatment options.

In this episode, Sara Budowsky, LCSW, a Lurie Children's clinical social worker and psychotherapist in The Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, shares insights on differentiating between shyness and social anxiety, the types of fears children experience and supportive strategies to build confidence in young people. She also dives into the importance of validating children's feelings, breaking down fears into manageable steps and the role parents play in fostering emotional resilience.

Dr. Craig Garfield and Dr. John James Parker (JJ) Parker discuss the often underappreciated significance of fathers in family health. They share insights from their experiences as both dads and doctors, which have informed their development of programs and research on the beneficial effects of fathers on child development and family well-being.

The infant and toddler years can be a challenging time for parents when it comes to navigating behavioral issues. Lurie Children's Little Ones program is the only program of its kind in Illinois that supports parents of young children directly by offering expert guidance, assessment, and intervention. Dr. Miller Shivers is a clinical psychologist in the Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Lurie Children's Hospital. She's also the Director of the Lurie Children's Little Ones program. In this episode, she discusses strategies for managing issues many parents face at home such as infant anxiety, toddler tantrums, strengthening the parent-child bond and more.

In this summer bonus episode of Kids' Wellness Matters, Dr. Nina Alfieri and Dr. Rob Sanchez discuss water and swimming safety tips for families and give advice for multiple layers of protection to prevent drowning.

Hydration is essential all year long but is especially important during the hot summer months. In this episode of Kids' Wellness Matters, hosts Nina and Rob give practical tips and hacks to help kids get enough water and discuss ways to recognize the signs of dehydration and much more.

Keeping kids safe while enjoying the summer sun means stocking up on SPF, but the sunscreen aisle can be overwhelming, especially to new parents trying to prevent sunburns on young children. Kids' Wellness Matters hosts Nina and Rob share their tips on SPF and other sun safety tips in this summer bonus episode of the show. 

Autism is one of the most commonly known developmental disorders in children, but its symptoms aren't always obvious. Usually beginning in early childhood, the signs of autism spectrum disorder can appear as difficulty in social communication but vary widely. In this episode, Dr. Joshua Ewen, a pediatric neurologist and neurodevelopmental pediatrician at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, brings years of expertise to answer questions about diagnosis, therapies, and research, expanding awareness of the diversity of autism in children.  

More children are being prescribed eyeglasses and contact lenses than ever before to help correct myopia or nearsightedness, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down. In this episode, Drs. Noreen Shaikh and Magdalena Stec, pediatric optometrists and co-directors of the Myopia Clinic at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, talk about this issue and some innovative treatments and tips that could help prevent the condition from getting worse as children age.

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood and may cause children to be overly active and have a tough time paying attention and controlling impulsive behaviors. But there are effective treatments and ways to manage symptoms and help children with the disorder thrive. In this episode, Dr. Andrea Spencer, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and physician scientist at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, offers helpful information and advice to help families navigate an ADHD diagnosis.

Food allergies are one of the most common chronic childhood diseases, and several studies have suggested that food allergies have increased dramatically over the past several decades. Dr. Ruchi Gupta is a Luire Children's physician, food allergy researcher, and food allergy mom, who has been at the forefront of improving childhood and adult allergic diseases for the past two decades. In this episode, she discusses the prevalence of food allergies in children across the U. S., the latest treatments and research, and things we can all do to keep children with food allergies safe.

Anxiety disorders are on the rise in children and teens, but there are resources and evidence-based treatments to help kids who are struggling lead productive, happy lives. In this episode, two Lurie Children's experts, child and adolescent psychologist John Parkhurst, PhD, and clinical social worker Mallory Hilliard, LCSW, CADC, explain the signs, symptoms and causes of the anxiety disorders. They explain how family support and potential interventions, including therapy and medication, can manage the disorder and help kids thrive.

Firearms are the number one cause of death for kids in the United States. It's a startling statistic that Lurie Children's physician and mass shooting survivor, Dr. Emily Lieberman, wants to change. This episode covers the importance of secure gun and ammunition storage to help prevent accidental and intentional shootings, the mental health impact of witnessing gun violence, legislative changes to curtail gun violence, and how parents can navigate these difficult topics with their children. This episode also includes a recounting of Dr. Lieberman's personal experience in a mass shooting.   

Exposure to lead at a young age can disrupt brain development, making lead intoxication a serious health concern. But lead lurks in many places and knowing where it may be hiding and how to protect children from exposure is important. Dr. Helen Binns, a pediatrician and director of the Lead Evaluation Program at Lurie Children's, specializes in caring for children exposed to lead and conducts significant research on the topic. Dr. Binns unpacks the myriad ways children might come into contact with lead, potential health risks, and strategies for contact prevention.

It's never too early or too late to talk with children about the dangers of substance use. In this episode, Dr. Mariah Rahmandar, a Lurie Children's attending physician in the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Lurie Children's and the Medical Director of the Substance Use and Prevention Program, discusses how parents can help prevent drug and alcohol use in their children and offers strategies for helping kids who have already developed a substance use disorder.

For families with dogs or who spend time around them, understanding dog behavior is essential to the safety of both children and pets. Kelly Ballantyne, DVM, DACVB, a veterinary behaviorist, addresses the potential risks of having dogs in the home and offers tips for avoiding negative encounters, especially dog bites. This episode offers a comprehensive guide for families to foster a safe and harmonious environment for both their children and pets.

Reading and interactive learning can have a profound impact on a child's brain development. Dr. Mariana Glusman, Attending Physician in Advanced General Pediatrics and Primary Care at Lurie Children's, shares how parents can nurture their children's cognitive, emotional and social development through meaningful, engaging interactions at home. As a passionate advocate for Reach Out and Reach, a program in pediatrician's offices that promotes literacy, Dr. Glusman shares the powerful benefits of regular reading with children, how parents can aid in the early relational health of their children, and how they can support their child's development in a multilingual home. 

The COVID-19 pandemic shed light on a growing mental health crisis in the United States, impacting a record number of teens and many younger children, too. In this episode, Lurie Children's pediatric psychiatrist, Aron Janssen, MD, shares ways parents, communities and healthcare providers can give kids the support they need. Dr. Janssen is the Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs in the Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health here at Lurie Children's. He sees patients and conducts research on pediatric mental health and behavioral health.

Concussions have a major impact on the daily lives of millions of children each year. In this episode, Jaqueline Turner, an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, discusses the importance of concussion prevention and management for young patients and offers insights into rule changes in youth sports to help prevent these injuries. She highlights the need for parents and caregivers to be informed on the signs of concussions and how early diagnosis and treatment can lead to faster recovery.

The hosts of Kids' Health Matters, Dr. Nina Alfieri and Dr. Rob Sanchez, talk about what you can expect on upcoming epsiodes of the show. Alfieri and Sanchez are both pediatricians at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and new parents. Get to know this doctor duo and some of the topics they plan to cover during the first season of this show.

Find out more about Kids' Health Matters, a podcast for parents and caregivers from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.