Learn all about non-barrier contraceptives including intrauterine devices, implants, injectables, pills, vaginal rings, and transdermal patches.

This episode was written by pediatricians Tammy Yau and Lidia Park with content support from Adrienne Hong (family medicine). 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:

• Intrauterine devices and implants are the most effective contraceptives at preventing pregnancy
• Non-barrier contraceptives do not protect against sexually transmitted infections
• Combined progestin-estrogen contraceptives are contraindicated in those with migraines, severe hypertension, severe liver disease, sickle cell disease, lupus, history of thromboembolism or stroke, and other diseases that increase the risk for thrombosis
• Emergency contraception includes oral ulipristal, oral levonorgestrel, and IUDs and should be taken with 72-120 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse. Only oral levonorgestrel is available without a prescription.

Source:

• Pediatrics July 2025: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/156/1/e2025072218/202151/Contraceptive-Counseling-and-Methods-for
• Pediatrics August 2020: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/146/2/e2020007252/36888/Long-Acting-Reversible-Contraception-Specific?autologincheck=redirected
• Pediatrics August 2020: http://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-007237
• ACOG 2025: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2015/09/emergency-contraception

Having “the talk” with your teenage patients? Learn how to navigate discussing sexual intercourse and contraception in this 2 part episode.

This episode was written by pediatricians Tammy Yau and Lidia Park with content support from Adrienne Hong (family medicine). 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:

• Maintain an open dialogue with patients when discussing sexual history. Include the 5 P’s - partners, practices, protection from STIs, past history of STIs, and pregnancy intention.
• Barrier contraceptives include external condoms, internal condoms, latex sheets or dental dams, diaphragms, cervical caps, sponges, spermicides, and vaginal pH modulators.
• Condoms can protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy while diaphragms, cervical caps, sponges, spermicides, and vaginal pH modulators protect against pregnancy only and not STIs

Source:

• Pediatrics July 2025: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/156/1/e2025072218/202151/Contraceptive-Counseling-and-Methods-for
• Pediatrics August 2020: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/146/2/e2020007252/36888/Long-Acting-Reversible-Contraception-Specific?autologincheck=redirected
• Pediatrics August 2020: http://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-007237
• ACOG: Barrier Methods of Birth Control: Spermicide, Condom, Diaphragm, and Cervical Cap | ACOG

In this episode we learn how to recognize concerning bruising using the TEN-4-FACESp rule. TEN-4-FACESp is an important rule that teaches us to recognize abnormal bruising and is a clinical tool that helps us decide whether further investigation for child abuse is warranted.

This episode was written by pediatric resident Megan Branson, and pediatricians Tammy Yau and Lidia Park with content support from Julia Magana, a pediatric emergency medicine physician and child abuse specialist. 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:

• The TEN-4-FACESp rule highlights high-risk bruising: torso, ears, neck, any bruise in infants ≤4 months, and facial areas (frenulum, angle of jaw, cheeks, eyelids, subconjunctivae), plus patterned bruising
• Evaluation should include a thorough, neutral history, full skin exam, and consideration of medical causes (e.g., ITP, bleeding disorders), while remembering this is a screening tool—not diagnostic of abuse.
• This tool can help learners understand more about child abuse and develop their skills for recognizing it in their patients:
• https://emscimprovement.center/news/introducing-peak-child-abuse-a-free-educational-toolkit/

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

You’ve probably seen an infantile hemangiomas before but did you they can be associated with PHACE or LUMBAR syndrome? Learn about this and everything else about infantile hemangiomas in this week’s episode.

This episode was written by pediatricians Tammy Yau and Lidia Park with content support from Caitlin Peterman (pediatric dermatology). 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:

• Infantile hemangioma which are the most common benign tumor of infancy. Most will involute on their own after 4 months of age and self-resolve
• Hemangiomas can affect nearby organs causing vision impairment, feeding difficulties, or airway compromise. Other complications include ulceration and disfigurement
• First line treatment includes oral propranolol for thicker lesions and topical timolol for superficial/thin lesions. Surgery or laser is reserved for select hemangiomas

Sources

AAP Jan 2019: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/143/1/e20183475/37268/Clinical-Practice-Guideline-for-the-Management-of?searchresult=1

Ebstein's anomaly is a congenital heart defect that involves an abnormally developed tricuspid valve. Learn more about its effects on the heart physiology in today's episode.

This episode was written by pediatricians Tammy Yau and Lidia Park with content support from Daniel Cortez (pediatric cardiology). 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:

• Ebstein's anomaly is characterized by an abnormally placed tricuspid valve causing atrialization of the right ventricle. This can lead to single ventricle physiology.
• Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW), right bundle branch blocks (RBBB), mitral valve prolapse, mitral valve dysplasia, bicuspid aortic valve, ventricular septal defect, and coarctation of the aorta can all be associated with Ebstein's anomaly
• Treatment of Ebstein's anomaly requires a patient to be stable enough to tolerate surgical correction like aortopulmonary shunting, PDA stenting, tricuspid valvuloplasty, and/or single ventricle palliation. Some patients will require inhaled nitrous oxide, Prostaglandin E, antiarrhythmics, and/or ECMO as well

Sources:

• Truong et al. “Ebstein Anomaly in the Fetus: Preparing for the Perfect Storm”.
• Neoreviews (2011) 12 (5): e260–e269. https://doi.org/10.1542/neo.12-5-e260