
Hosted by Children's Hospital of Alabama · EN

For children and adolescents, headaches can be one of the most common and most debilitating conditions. As many as 75% report having headaches at some point, and for some, it affects their lives in significant ways. In this episode, Scott Turner, DNP, describes the most common types of headaches, the challenges they create and how the Children’s of Alabama Headache Clinic is working to help patients who have them.

In this episode, Children's of Alabama pediatrician Peily Soong, M.D., offers an in-depth look at the vaccinations for measles, whooping cough (pertussis) and polio.

Chances are, you’re probably familiar with Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD. But what are some of the early warning signs? And what should you do if you see them in your child? In this episode, licensed psychologists Dr. Allison Battaglia and Dr. Laura Stoppelbein answer those questions and more while taking an in-depth look at ASD, its impact and its treatment.

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is the most common reproductive condition in women. It affects between 3% and 15% of women, and it’s a risk factor for infertility and many metabolic diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In this episode, we speak with endocrinologist Christy Foster, M.D., who leads the PCOS Clinic at Children’s of Alabama. She explains the impact of the condition and how her multidisciplinary clinic helps patients who have it.The cause of PCOS is unknown, but it involves a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Symptoms include irregular periods, acne and excess hair growth. There is no cure, but symptoms can be managed with lifestyle changes and medical treatment.

The Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program at Children’s of Alabama is one of the largest programs of its kind in the U.S. It offers a multidisciplinary team that cares for patients with brain and spinal cord tumors, along with neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition that predisposes children to tumors. In this episode, you’ll hear from the program’s director, Katie Metrock, M.D., who explains the team approach Children’s takes when caring for patients with these conditions.

In this episode, Dr. Matthew Kutny explains the work he's doing in the Pediatric Clinical Trials Office at Children's of Alabama and the difference it's making in the lives of children in Alabama and beyond.

In this episode, Children's of Alabama pediatrician Amy McCollum, M.D., talks about her favorite topic: reading to kids. No matter their age, children can benefit from this fun activity. It helps them bond with their parents, prepare for school and learn crucial skills.

If you’re an expectant mother, you’ve probably given some thought to breastfeeding. In this episode, Children’s of Alabama neonatologist Allison Black, M.D., explains the benefits of breastfeeding for the baby and the mother. She provides answers to some of the most common concerns new mothers have about breastfeeding. Black also describes the Project HOME initiative, a quality improvement project she leads to improve the percentage of NICU babies receiving human milk.

Gunshot injuries are becoming more common among children, and these injuries can affect a child for life. As a physical rehabilitation medicine physician at Children’s of Alabama, Erin Swanson, M.D., helps patients who have been affected by firearm injuries. In this episode, she explains the impact a gunshot injury can have on a child and their family. She shares advice for parents on how to keep their children safe.

Firearm injuries among children have increased exponentially over the last decade. Dr. Jennifer McCain has seen it as a nocturnist in the emergency department at Children’s of Alabama. In this episode, McCain—who also has 12 years of experience as a pediatrician—explains the role pediatricians and parents can play in driving down these numbers.