Is acute appendicitis better than an ugly appendicitis? (Yes that’s supposed to be a joke!) Join us on today’s episode to learn about appendicitis in pediatric patients!

This episode was written by pediatricians Tammy Yau and Lidia Park with content support from Julie Fuchs (pediatric surgery). Pediatricians Tammy and Lidia take full responsibility for any errors or misinformation.

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

Key Points:

• Symptoms of appendicitis include abdominal pain (classically right lower quadrant with rebound and guarding), anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and fever
• Diagnosis can be clinical but imaging with ultrasound or CT is often used to confirm the diagnosis
• Treatment is typically laparoscopic appendectomy but select patients with uncomplicated appendicitis can be treated with IV antibiotics to avoid surgery. However, these patients need close follow up for recurrence or failure of non-operative management

Sources

-AAP April 2022: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/149/5/e2021054693/186782/Nonoperative-Management-of-Uncomplicated

-StatPearls June 2025: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441864/

Did you know that platelet transfusion is NOT the treatment for low platelets in immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)? Learn why in this week's episode!

This episode was written by pediatricians Tammy Yau and Lidia Park with content support from Anjali Pawar (pediatric hematology). Pediatricians Tammy and Lidia take full responsibility for any errors or misinformation.

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

Key Points:

• Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) causes low platelets, by definition less than 100,000 microL, in the setting of a normal bone marrow and no other cause of thrombocytopenia.
• ITP can be acute or chronic meaning lasting longer than 6 months.
• Acute ITP can be self limiting and not require treatment but treatment can include steroids, IVIG, thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RA like eltrombopag), or Rhogam.
• Chronic ITP can include rituximab, eltrombopag, and/or splenectomy

Sources

• Pediatric in Review, Chu Y, et al (March 2000): https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.21-3-95
• American Society of Hematology Clinical Practice Guidelines on Immune Thrombocytopenia (2019): https://www.hematology.org/education/clinicians/guidelines-and-quality-care/clinical-
• practice-guidelines/immune-thrombocytopenia-guidelines
• Journal of Pediatrics, Buchanan GR, Adix L (Nov 2002): doi: 10.1067/mpd.2002.128547
• Platelet Disorder Support Association: https://pdsa.org/images/stories/pdf/ITP-in-Children_FAQ.pdf

Purpura, stomach aches, joint pains, maybe blood in the urine? You better be thinking about IgA nephropathy. Learn more

This episode was written by pediatricians Tammy Yau and Lidia Park with content support from Gia Oh (pediatric nephrologist). Pediatricians Tammy and Lidia take full responsibility for any errors or misinformation.

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

Key Points:

• IgA vasculitis (formerly known as Henoch-Schonlein purpura/HSP) is a small vessel vasculitis that causes palpable purpura, abdominal pain, arthritis or arthralgias, IgA deposition on biopsy, and/or renal involvement.
• Management is mainly supportive with hydration and pain management. Steroids can be given for severe GI or renal involvement as well as immunosuppressants, plasmapheresis, or transplant if severe renal symptoms.
• IgA vasculitis symptoms typically resolve within 4-6 weeks but 1/3 of patients will have relapse or recurrence within 1 year. Monitoring for renal involvement is important.

Sources

• Reid-Adam, Jessica. Pediatr Rev (2014) 35 (10): 447–449. https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.35-10-447
• AAP Grand Rounds (2005) 14 (6): 65. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.14-6-65
• AAP Grand Rounds (2022) 47 (4): 42. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.47-4-42