With increasing awareness and diagnosis of autism, there has also been an increase in misinformation regarding autism. The goal of today's episode is to provide a brief overview on autism and provide evidenced based information to better inform listeners!

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This episode was written by pediatricians Tammy Yau and Lidia Park with content support from Kathleen Angkustsiri (UC Davis developmental and behavioral pediatric specialist). Pediatricians Tammy and Lidia take full responsibility for any errors or misinformation.

Key Points:

• Autism diagnostic criteria have changed to increase detection of milder cases. Asperger's is included in autism.
• Per the DSM-5, autism is a condition with impairments in social communication (social and emotional reciprocity, non-verbal communication, and relationships) and restrictive and repetitive behaviors.
• Autism diagnosis also requires 2 out of 4 restrictive or repetitive behaviors: 1. Restrictive or repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities 2. Insistence of sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, ritualized patterns 3. Highly restricted, fixated interest abnormal in intensity or focus. 4. Hyper or hyporeactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment
• Autism can present as regression of social and/or language skills.
• The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers – Revised with Follow-up (MCHAT-R/F) is the most widely known and validated screening tool for autism for ages 16-30 months. A score of 8 or more is high risk for autism

Sources:

• Pediatrics (2020) 145 (1): e20193447. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-3447

Ever get caught in a sticky ethical situation regarding genetic testing? You're not alone. Join us as we try to navigate these real life issues.

Follow us on Twitter/X @Pediagogypod, Instagram/Threads @pediagogy, Bluesky @pediagogypodcast.bluesky.social, and connect with us at pediagogypod@gmail.com

This episode was written by pediatricians Tammy Yau and Lidia Park with content support from Video Jhaveri (UC Davis neonatology fellow). Pediatricians Tammy and Lidia take full responsibility for any errors or misinformation.

Key points:

• Genetic testing may seem relatively benign and non-invasive but is actually fraught with unforeseen issues such as surprise consanguinity and non-paternity.
• Racial and economic disparities are prevalent with genetic testing and their interpretation. For example most test value interpretations are based on people of European and Asian descent.
• We cannot easily predict outcomes and prognosticate even with genetic testing. Prognosis is often fraught with the issue of promoting "ableism".

Sources:

Katharine P. Callahan, Ellen W. Clayton, Amy A. Lemke, Bimal P. Chaudhari, Tara L. Wenger, Allison N. J. Lyle, Kyle B. Brothers; Ethical and Legal Issues Surrounding Genetic Testing in the NICU. Neoreviews March 2024; 25 (3): e127–e138. https://doi.org/10.1542/neo.25-3-e127

Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone and is often a delayed diagnosis given the ambiguity of the signs and symptoms. Listen in on how you might be able to better detect and treat osteomyelitis without delay.

Follow us on Twitter/X @Pediagogypod, Instagram/Threads @pediagogy, Bluesky @pediagogypodcast.bluesky.social, and connect with us at pediagogypod@gmail.com

This episode was written by pediatric resident Victoria Tran Toft and pediatricians Tammy Yau and Lidia Park with content support from Natasha Nakra (UC Davis pediatric infectious disease). Pediatricians Tammy and Lidia take full responsibility for any errors or misinformation.

Key points:

• Osteomyelitis can present as limp or hesitancy with movement; this can occur with or without fevers and localizing signs.
• Main diagnostics include CRP, which also aids in assessing treatment response.
• Treatment is a long course of antibiotics. Typically, starting empiric IV antibiotics in the hospital and then transitioning to oral agents.

Sources:

• PIDS/IDSA Guideline on Diagnosis and Management of Acute Hematogenous Osteomyelitis in Pediatrics. Published 8/5/2021. Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpids/piab027