Pediatrix Clinicians in the News

In addition to the highly specialized care our clinicians provide to patients across the country every day, many also serve as go-to expert sources for top national and regional media outlets. Pediatrix® and Obstetrix® clinicians regularly contribute to news articles, sharing their expertise to help educate readers on popular and trending topics related to women’s and children’s health, as well as unique stories of innovative patient care. 

Here’s a roundup of some of the latest stories:

Abhinav Pal, M.D., neonatologist, spoke with WIBW 13 News, the CBS affiliate in Topeka, Kansas, about micropreemie Corbin Johnston, who was born at 24 weeks gestation weighing one pound, seven ounces. After an unexpected home delivery, paramedics rushed Corbin to the emergency room. He was stabilized and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, where he was treated for an air leak around his lungs. Today, Corbin has defied all odds – he recently turned one and enjoyed his first Christmas at home. “Just 15, 20 years ago, babies born at 24 weeks did not have a good survival at all,” said Dr. Pal. “Look at him now! He’s one year old and he’s thriving. It is very satisfying and very heartwarming for us for sure and gives us more faith in what we do and more confidence.”

Jill Hechtman, M.D., obstetrician-gynecologist, spoke with Parents about how to manage postpartum skin changes. Spider veins can occur because of the pressure your expanding uterus puts on the rest of your body, said Dr. Hechtman. “The blood can pool in [your] legs and cause the capillaries under the skin to weaken and expand. They are not harmful, but many [people] don't like the appearance.” The best way to prevent spider veins is by wearing compression socks, she said. “I know that is hard during the summer months, but it can certainly help, especially after 15 weeks when the uterus has grown out of the pelvis.”

Fadiyla Dopwell, M.D., developmental-behavioral pediatrician, spoke with The Bump about the small achievements, or “inchstones,” during a baby’s first year that lead up to the major milestones. These early successes help form their understanding of self and others. Between 6-12 months, babies begin sharing attention. “The infant can read facial expressions and is looking to see if their parent’s expression is mirroring their own feelings about the object,” said Dr. Dopwell. “They’re also looking to see if their parent is seeing what they see and initiating a shared experience.” She shared that consistent, loving responses are key to supporting a baby's development and milestones. “Praising a child’s attempt at behaviors that a parent models is always a good motivator and reinforcer of learned skills.”

Tania Lopez, CNM, certified nurse-midwife, spoke with Forbes Vetted about top books for pregnancy, birth and postpartum. “Find books that match your philosophy about pregnancy, health, parenting and birth,” said Lopez. For postpartum recovery, she recommended “The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide To Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions, And Restoring Your Vitality.” “I don’t think enough women are prepared for the transition to motherhood after baby is born – so many focus on the birth but that is only a one-day event, whereas postpartum is a long haul and a huge transition with very little sleep,” said Lopez.

Zachary Hoy, M.D., pediatric infectious disease specialist, spoke with HuffPost about the latest cases of strep throat. “The strain of strep that has been seen this winter season seems to have more associated GI symptoms with it than the typical strain,” said Dr. Hoy. “Sometimes ‘typical’ strep can cause abdominal pain with enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes called mesenteric adenitis,” he explained. “There has been speculation that this could account for the GI symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea with this strain of strep.” He noted that cold, flu, COVID-19 and norovirus are also circulating. “When there are uncommon presentations of common diseases such as strep with increased GI symptoms, it highlights the importance of being evaluated by your child’s pediatrician and rapid testing,” said Dr. Hoy. 

To view additional news stories, visit our newsroom. 

Members of the media, we invite you to view our multispecialty media panel and request an expert source.