Virtual Curbside

In Episode 2 of our series on Polycystic Metabolic Ovary Syndrome (PMOS), our host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP and guest Katherine Hayes, MD explore treatment options for adolescents and the importance of tailoring care to each patient's individual needs. The conversation addresses how treatment considerations may differ for patients who are overweight versus those who are thin, and reviews the roles of metformin, oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), cosmetic treatments, and newer options such as GLP-1 medications.Beyond managing physical symptoms, our guest emphasizes the importance of recognizing the emotional and psychological impacts of PMOS. Mental health, body image, and self-esteem can significantly affect adolescents living with the condition and should be part of a comprehensive approach to care.Finally, the discussion highlights how primary care clinicians and gynecologists can work together to provide coordinated, individualized treatment. This episode offers practical insights to help pediatricians support adolescents with PMOS while addressing both their physical and emotional well-being.The Virtual Curbside is a podcast of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Utah Chapter (UTAAP), connecting pediatricians and subspecialists through practical, accessible pediatric education. Learn more about UTAAP at aaputah.org.ACCME Accreditation StatementThis activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Colorado Medical Society through the joint providership of Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics and Utah Chapter, AAP.  Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics is accredited by the Colorado Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. AMA Credit Designation StatementKansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This month, we begin a new series on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), including the discussion surrounding a potential name change to Polycystic Metabolic Ovary Syndrome (PMOS) and evolving diagnostic criteria, particularly for adolescents. Our Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP, and expert Katherine Hayes, MD, explore how our understanding of the condition continues to change and why diagnosing adolescents requires special consideration.The conversation covers updated diagnostic criteria, the role of hyperandrogenism, and how oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) can affect evaluation and diagnosis. They also discuss the importance of excluding other conditions that may present with similar symptoms and the value of an "at-risk" designation for adolescents who do not yet meet all diagnostic criteria. This approach allows clinicians to monitor symptoms over time without prematurely assigning a potentially lifelong diagnosis.Finally, our guest highlights the importance of getting the diagnosis right, including the long-term implications of an inaccurate diagnosis. The episode offers practical guidance on what pediatricians can evaluate and document before referring patients to OB/GYN, helping ensure a thoughtful, coordinated approach to care.The Virtual Curbside is a podcast of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Utah Chapter (UTAAP), connecting pediatricians and subspecialists through practical, accessible pediatric education. Learn more about UTAAP at aaputah.org.ACCME Accreditation StatementThis activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Colorado Medical Society through the joint providership of Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics and Utah Chapter, AAP.  Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics is accredited by the Colorado Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. AMA Credit Designation StatementKansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

In this Q&A episode, we wrap up our series on vitamin K deficiency bleeding by answering common questions about newborn prophylaxis and ongoing protection. Our host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP, and Sarah Coggins, MD, MSCE discuss whether infants ever need additional supplementation or a second dose after the initial birth dose, how long protection lasts, and whether there is a point at which it is too late to administer intramuscular (IM) vitamin K.The conversation also explores whether early antibiotic exposure can affect an infant’s risk of bleeding complications and why standardized, FDA-approved alternatives to the IM injection are not available in the United States. These questions provide an opportunity to examine the evidence behind current recommendations and the challenges of ensuring reliable vitamin K protection for newborns.This episode concludes our series with practical insights to help pediatricians answer families’ questions, address concerns about vitamin K prophylaxis, and explain the importance of protecting infants from potentially serious bleeding complications.The Virtual Curbside is a podcast of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Utah Chapter (UTAAP), connecting pediatricians and subspecialists through practical, accessible pediatric education. Learn more about UTAAP at aaputah.org.ACCME Accreditation StatementThis activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Colorado Medical Society through the joint providership of Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics and Utah Chapter, AAP.  Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics is accredited by the Colorado Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. AMA Credit Designation StatementKansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

In Episode 3 of our series on vitamin K deficiency bleeding, we focus on one of the most challenging aspects of newborn care: talking with parents who are hesitant about vitamin K prophylaxis. Our host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP, and two experts, Kristan Scott, MD, MSHP, and Sarah Coggins, MD, MSCE, explore three key factors that shape parental decisions: personal beliefs, concerns about infant welfare, and outside influences. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize that parents genuinely want what is best for their babies and that listening with empathy is essential to building trust.The discussion addresses common concerns, including whether vitamin K is synthetic, the ingredients in available formulations, the use of small amounts of alcohol as a stabilizing agent, and fears about a possible link to leukemia. Our guests review the limitations of earlier studies suggesting a link and the lack of consistent findings in subsequent research. They also discuss how concerns about infant pain can be acknowledged and addressed, and why misconceptions about the need for vitamin K based on whether a procedure such as circumcision is planned can leave infants—including girls—unprotected.With parents having access to more health information online than ever before, pediatricians have an important role in helping families evaluate what they find and make informed decisions. This episode offers practical guidance for approaching difficult conversations with empathy, addressing misinformation, and reinforcing the pediatrician as a trusted resource throughout a child’s care.The Virtual Curbside is a podcast of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Utah Chapter (UTAAP), connecting pediatricians and subspecialists through practical, accessible pediatric education. Learn more about UTAAP at aaputah.org.ACCME Accreditation StatementThis activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Colorado Medical Society through the joint providership of Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics and Utah Chapter, AAP.  Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics is accredited by the Colorado Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. AMA Credit Designation StatementKansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

In Episode 2 of our series on vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB), our host Paul Wirkus, MD, FAAP and two experts, Kristan Scott, MD, MSHP and Sarah Coggins, MD, MSCE explore why intramuscular (IM) vitamin K is recommended for newborns, how current supplementation guidelines were established, and what the evidence tells us about its effectiveness. We compare oral and IM administration, discuss why recommendations vary between countries, and review findings from studies in Denmark, Sweden, and Australia.The conversation also addresses common questions and misinformation families may encounter online, including the risks of unregulated products and the importance of understanding that there is no FDA-approved over-the-counter vitamin K product for newborn prophylaxis. We discuss why some breastfed infants may remain vulnerable to vitamin K deficiency even after receiving the IM injection and why increasing maternal supplementation to boost vitamin K levels in breast milk is not a reliable substitute for newborn prophylaxis.This episode provides pediatricians with evidence-based context for discussing vitamin K recommendations with families, addressing common concerns, and explaining why the route of administration matters in protecting newborns from potentially serious complications.The Virtual Curbside is a podcast of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Utah Chapter (UTAAP), connecting pediatricians and subspecialists through practical, accessible pediatric education. Learn more about UTAAP at aaputah.org.ACCME Accreditation StatementThis activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Colorado Medical Society through the joint providership of Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics and Utah Chapter, AAP.  Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics is accredited by the Colorado Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. AMA Credit Designation StatementKansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.