Guest: Robert M. Jacobson, M.D.

Episode 1:  Back to School Edition | Immunization Update

October 8, 2024

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Pencils, books and lots of dreams is what many children will experience as they head back to school. It’s a time filled with a variety of emotions: excitement and anticipation over what the next 9 months will bring. For some, it’s a time of sadness as summer comes to an end. It’s also a time to review and update immunizations. What’s recommended for school and what’s required? What are the common reasons parents refuse immunizations for their children and how do we address the many myths people have about immunizations? I’ll be getting the answers to these questions in today’s podcast from our guest, Bob M. Jacobson, M.D., from the Division of Community Pediatrics and Adolescents at Mayo Clinic.

Guest: Angela C. Mattke, M.D.

Episode 2:  Back to School Edition | Pediatric and Adolescent Diet & Nutrition

October 10, 2024

Providing good nutrition and developing healthy eating habits is extremely important for our children. It sets a pattern and can impact their health throughout their adult life. However, this goal has many challenges. Parents must battle effective media marketing for unhealthy foods, deal with ever available and convenient fast-food options and struggle with time constraints in their busy families. How healthy are the diets of our children? How can parents manage their own busy schedules and still prepare healthy meals and what’s our role as health care clinicians in promoting healthy nutrition in our children. This podcast in our “Back to School” series will focus on these questions as we discuss “Pediatric and Adolescent Diet and Nutrition”. My guest is Angela C. Mattke, M.D., a pediatrician from the Division of Community Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at the Mayo Clinic.

Guest: David B. Soma, M.D.

Episode 3: Back to School Edition | Pediatric and Adolescent Sports Injuries

October 17, 2024

Participation in sports in children and adolescents is extremely common and its popularity is increasing. Although sports play an important role in promoting health and developing interpersonal relationships, its estimated that injuries related to playing sports is quite common, especially musculoskeletal injuries. The literature describes prevalence rates ranging from 34 to 65%. This leads to lost school days and significant health care costs. Which sports carry the greatest risk of injury? Are there any differences in injuries in girls vs. boys? Can sports injuries be prevented and are the benefits of participation in sports worth the risk of serious injury? We’ll discuss these issues and more as part of our “Back to School” podcast series. The topic for this podcast is “Pediatric and Adolescent Sports Injuries” and my guest is David B. Soma, M.D., from the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at the Mayo Clinic.

Guest: Julie M. Baughn, M.D

Episode 4: Back to School Edition | Pediatric and Adolescent Sleep Medicine

October 24, 2024

Sleep is very important for a child’s physical and mental health and plays a vital role in the development of cognitive and motor skills.  The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that up to 50% of children and 40% of adolescents have problems with their sleep, which may manifest as issues in school, mood disorders as well as relationship problems with others. What kind of sleep problems do children and adolescents commonly experience? When should we suspect impaired sleep is causing problems and do children and adolescents have some of the same sleep disorders as adults? I’ll be asking these questions and more as we explore “Pediatric and Adolescent Sleep Medicine” as part of our “Back to School” series of podcasts. My guest is Julie M. Baughn, M.D., a pulmonologist and sleep specialist at the Mayo Clinic.

Guest: Erick D. Bothun, M.D.

Episode 5:  Back to School Edition | Pediatric and Adolescent Ophthalmologic Concerns  

October 29, 2024

It’s estimated that more than 1 in 20 preschool-age children and 1 in 4 school-age children have a vision disorder. Since the eyes are the source of sensory input for much of the learning that takes place in our children, these statistics take on real importance. Vision problems in childhood can result in developmental delays and are often misdiagnosed as learning disabilities. As adults, we’re aware of changes and problems with our vision. Children who have never known clear vision may not realize their vision is impaired. What are the most common eye disorders in children? How many of our pre-school children are receiving vision screening? What are common signs a child may have a vision impairment? These are just some of the questions I’ll asking my guest, Erick D. Bothun, M.D., from the Department of Ophthalmology at the Mayo Clinic. As part of our “Back to School” Series, we’ll be discussing “Pediatric and Adolescent Ophthalmologic Concerns”.

Guest: Joselyn R. Lebow, Ph.D., L.P.

Episode 6:  Back to School Edition | Pediatric Mental Health Disorders 

October 31, 2024

Unfortunately, mental health problems are common in our youth. A recent study by the CDC found that among adolescents aged 12 to 17, just under 21% had experienced a major depressive episode within the past year. Among high school students, more than 35% reported feeling sad or hopeless, with nearly 20% seriously contemplating suicide and mental health disorders are not limited to our teens. Over 17% of children aged 2 through 8 have had a diagnosis of a mental, behavioral or developmental disorder. Are mental health disorders in our youth increasing? How might depression present in a child or adolescent? How common is suicide in our youth and how often are suicide attempts successful? I’ll be asking these questions and more to my guest in today’s podcast on “Pediatric Mental Health Disorders” as part of our “Back to School” podcast series. My guest is child psychologist Joselyn R. Lebow, Ph.D., L.P., from the Mayo Clinic.