Kids and Medical Complexity

Kids and Medical Complexity

From Your Child's Brain by WYPR Baltimore

April 2, 2026 · 28 min

About this episode

This episode discusses medical complexity in children and features insights from medical professionals and a parent of a young patient.

About 1% of all children in the U.S. have multiple significant and chronic health problems, or what’s known as “medical complexity.” Kennedy Krieger happens to be a leading treatment center for children whose medical complexities affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves, or muscles. In this episode, Dr. Michelle Melicosta, associate chief medical officer, explains what medical complexity is. Listeners also meet Eleftheria Tzortzakaki, the mother of a young patient with acute flaccid myelitis, a condition that is both rare and complex. As always, Dr. Brad Schlaggar, president and CEO, serves as host.

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Brad Schlaggar

Guests: Dr. Michelle Melicosta, Eleftheria Tzortzakaki

Topics covered

  • medical complexity
  • children's health
  • chronic health problems
  • acute flaccid myelitis
  • neurological conditions

Keywords

  • medical complexity
  • children's health
  • chronic conditions
  • acute flaccid myelitis
  • neurology

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Kennedy Krieger

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