Rebekah Fenton, MD, MPH

What a gift it is to be seen. I was reminded of that today by experiencing what it’s like to not be seen. It hurts.

I just want to be someone who tries my best to always and truly see others.

Would love to see it!

So sorry! We’re in this together help kids and should be that simple

Truly! I hate how healthcare providers are being characterized when it’s larger systems that limit our effectiveness

Adolescent medicine overlaps a lot with mental health and it’s abysmal over there. Hate how access varies so widely based on insurance

Yes that is my dream, along with better confidential care for adolescents

I don’t know if there’s any greater frustration as a doctor, particularly in adolescent medicine, than when patients want medical care, I’m ready to provide it, but I’m unable to because of systems and policies beyond my control. This sucks.

During his first election, when he said horrible things on record about women, made jokes about disabled people, & dehumanized immigrants, people tried to separate the man and his policies from his words to dismiss them. He has been everything he said he would be and, unchecked, will only continue.

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but this administration’s words/posts are very much congruent with the racist policies it puts forth. They are inseparable. Trying to denounce a post without acknowledging that the whole thing is trash is part of how we got here.

allowing ICE agents free reign to violate safe spaces, stop people by appearance alone, arrest/detain anyone (including children), and harm or k*ll if their lives feel threatened, etc. It’s ALL racist.

Words & images matter and should always be called out, but they only represent the iceberg tip.

Systemic racism means policies are racist when they reinforce or worsen inequities in racially/ethnically marginalized groups. At this point, you can pick a policy and it disproportionally affects Black and Brown folks: Medicaid cuts, decreased SNAP, abortion access, cutting research funding,

Saw some understandable outrage yesterday at a post by the leader of this administration depicting the Obamas using stereotypical imagery. It was undeniably racist. But I pray no one’s outrage at that post is greater than their response to the racist policies at work this last year.

HUGE NEWS.

A study presented at #AACR25 found that one dose of the HPV vaccine (which prevents CANCER) is as effective as two, with efficacy rates >97%.

Catching the end of this beautiful workshop “Seeking Solutions for Increasing Representation of Black Men in Academic Pediatrics Through a Life Course Framework”. So powerful to see a panel of Black men in Academic Peds sharing insights and facilitating conversations #PAS2025

Just wrapped my keynote at #PAS2025: “Why ‘Follow the Science’ Falls Short.”

Key message? Evidence doesn’t speak for itself. We do.

Let’s communicate with empathy, nuance, and trust.

Thanks to @AcadPeds & @AcademyHealth.bsky.social for leading the way. #SciComm #Pediatrics

Thanks for sharing!

One of the workshop leaders was med-peds and shared what a difference you all make for these patients :)

- We acknowledged that transition is hard for everyone, including neurotypical adolescents
- While independence may not be the goal for everyone, assessing patient wishes and cognitive abilities can help define transition goals
- Space to talk to providers alone promotes self-advocacy!

Currently in a workshop about transition for adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities #PAS2025

- Talk about transition early and often to support success
- Asking patients about life and hobbies is a great way to help assess a patient’s ability to understand and self-manage care

Teens also had great feedback for improving the video, including having youth actors, discussion of STI symptoms, and closed captioning for accessibility.

Wendy Grant, MD presenting her project about youth’s perspectives on a STI testing, prevention, and treatment video #PAS2025

Most teens had received info about STIs, but less than half were familiar with PrEP.

Teens loved the video and wanted privacy to view it and space to ask Qs

Final presentation is a review of feeding issues and breast milk, including a review of possible causes of feeding issues (prematurity most common) as well as the different components of breastmilk and why it’s recommended.

Cool to learn that brestfed babies are less selective with solid foods!

Great summary slide for management of functional abdominal disorders, affirming a lot that I do already so glad to know I’m on the right track.

Absolutely! Taking notes on how to apply all of this :) side note: would love to try and meet up in IL before I move later this year

Melatonin has been shown effective to improve sleep and belly pain.

Good support for peppermint oil and amitriptyline.

Be willing to offer a range of medications. Some patients will get better on something, but some will not respond to any.

Medication use: no single medication for functional disorders treats all symptoms. Many GI medications are not better than placebo, but the placebo effect is still valid because patients feel BETTER!

Probiotics shows moderate benefit with only weak evidence. Also consider that some are costly.

Recent study of low fodmap diet in teens in Europe showed statistical significance, but no clinical significance.

Diets also have significant side effects, including increased risk of eating disorders.

Treatment requires a holistic approach.
- Sleep can make symptoms better
- Physical activity helps to get away from “flight or fight” response
- Social media and phone use associated with worse symptoms
- diet interventions may not be effective (more due to hypersensitivity).

Make diagnosis of functional disorders as a positive diagnosis. Symptoms are REAL!

Don’t use the word “just” to explain the diagnosis and explain why further testing are not indicated.

Allergy testing and IBD panel are useless in abd pain. Can consider stool calprotectin if patient has diarrhea.

Constipation must be diagnosed by patient history NOT x-ray. Patients with IBS constipation type do not experience improvement in pain with resolved constipation.

Important not to overtest. There is no test for confirming pain.

Families don’t hear what they say, they are looking at our reaction. When we order more tests, we are sending the message that families should worry.

Diagnosis needs a good history & physical exam. Not everyone needs testing.