Tales of a Children's Doctor

Chris
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MEDICINE

A podcast outlining a life spent working with children and telling the stories of some amazing children and their families.

  1. 05/31/2021

    Stimulating the brain

    In this episode we meet Charlie, a young man with an extremely severe epilepsy which was not responding to optimal anti-epileptic drug therapy.  His mother was an amazing lady who searched far and wide for options to help treat his epilepsy.  She learned about a way of treating epilepsy using a device called a Vagus Nerve Stimulator about the same time that I came across it at an epilepsy meeting.  At the time only one child in the UK had had the device implanted and we had to work hard to obtain this for Charlie.  In this episode we discuss how the Vagus Nerve Stimulator was developed, how we managed to obtain the treatment for Charlie (only the second child to be implanted in the UK) and the outcome for Charlie and his mum.

    24 min

  2. 05/07/2021

    Let's dance

    Welcome to Episode 2 - let's dance.  In this episode we meet Ella who presents with a condition known as Sydenham's chorea.  We discuss the impact of this on her and he family and talk about the history, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of this fascinating condition.

    24 min

  3. 04/29/2021

    Coming to Sheffield

    This is the first episode in the second series.  I start my consultant career in Sheffield. On my first ward round I meet a mother who has just lost her child with what is thought to be cerebral palsy.  This leads to a diagnostic odyssey which results in diagnosis of a very rare condition known as Aicardi Goutières syndrome - I introduce you to this child's brother and, subsequently, his sister both of whom have the same condition.  We see the impact of this diagnosis on the family and learn how they support the affected children.

    24 min

  4. 03/18/2021

    Talking about genes

    I speak with a friend and colleague of mine with whom I worked in Yorkhill.  He is now a Professor of Clinical Genetics at the MRC Genetics Unit in Edinburgh and has devoted his life and career to understanding the genetic and metabolic basis of severe developmental disorders.  In particular he is fascinated by the concept of genetic disease that is not inherited.  We talk through his career and some of the important discoveries that he and colleagues have made which radically advance our understanding of severe developmental disorders.  I illustrate the concept of de novo genetic disease by re-visiting Sophie, the girl with Dravet syndrome, and taking you through the recognition of the genetic basis of this severe epileptic encephalopathy and some of the exciting advances that are just around the corner in terms of potential genetic treatments for this condition.

    40 min

  5. 03/02/2021

    How do I communicate

    This is a short episode which examines the outcome for Sophie who we met in Episode 12. Although her early development appeared to be on track, as she became older it became clear that she was developing difficulties with communication, not only in terms of her spoken language but also in terms of social understanding. It became clear that Sophie was very limited in her repertoire of play and restricted in her day to day routine.  This led her to being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. The episode discusses the diagnosis and nature of autism and considers this as an alternative developmental route which is the accompaniment of a variety of problems, in Sophie's case her early onset severe epilepsy.

    20 min

  6. 02/05/2021

    A Nervy Time in Australia

    I had an amazing three months in Sydney.  This episode outlines my time there - the people I met, the stimulation of the interactions and the challenges of reviewing data from many, many children with complex neuropathies.  We discuss two children - one a baby with a severe early onset form of epilepsy known as West syndrome.  We look at treatment then and now and see how much we've learned as neurologists in the last few years. I also discuss a young boy who I only met once who had an extremely rare genetic neuropathy called giant axonal neuropathy. I outline the underlying genetic cause of this in brief. Finally I leave Sydney and return to the UK to start the next chapter in my career.  Before embarking on that in Series 2 we will meet another friend of mine who is now a senior academic in Clinical Genetics and he will have more stories to tell.

    29 min

  7. 01/27/2021

    Leaving Glasgow

    I return to Yorkhill only to find myself attached to paediatric cardiology.  We discuss a tiny baby, Tom, who is admitted with a very serious congenital heart defect known as transposition of the great arteries. The challenges his parents face and the support they receive from the cardiology staff is substantial and you need to listen to find out what happens to Tom. We also discuss an infant who develops a very severe form of epilepsy known as Dravet syndrome and briefly review this epilepsy and the challenges it brings. I find myself applying for a consultant post in Sheffield for interview practice and I prepare to move to Australia for an attachment in child neurology in Sydney. Website: childrensdoctortales.co.uk Facebook: @talesofachildrensdoctor

    28 min

  8. 01/19/2021

    Grown up Neurology

    As part of training in paediatric neurology I have a year long attachment at the nearby adult neurology unit. We discuss the challenges that adult neurology brings and I recall three patients who made a particular impact on me for a variety of reasons.  The first is a young man who presents with a functional neurological disorder causing him to be unable to walk. I discuss current thinking about functional neurological disorder and the considerable advances that have occurred in this condition.  The second is a lady who suffers a sub-arachnoid haemorrhage late in pregnancy - we discuss this condition.  Finally we talk about another young man who developed a very severe drug reaction to LSD. This was a condition known as neuroleptic malignant syndrome - something which usually complicates treatment with certain anti-psychotic medications.

    28 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

A podcast outlining a life spent working with children and telling the stories of some amazing children and their families.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2021
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tales of a Children's Doctor
  • Show Website
    Tales of a Children's Doctor