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COVID-2019 Alert

The latest information about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, including vaccine clinics for children ages 6 months and older.

La información más reciente sobre el nuevo Coronavirus de 2019, incluidas las clínicas de vacunación para niños de 6 meses en adelante.

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Caroline Okorie, MD

  • Caroline Uchechi Adanma Okorie

I am both a pediatric pulmonologist and sleep specialist, so I have the opportunity to care for a diverse group of patients with a variety of health issues. I provide care for patients starting from when they're neonates up until they're adults. I enjoy educating patients, families and communities about how to best partner with their medical team to optimize our patients' health and quality of life. I strive to empower patients and families to feel that we are all part of a team working to achieve the best outcome. Everyone should feel like they're part of the solution.

Specialties

Asthma

Sleep Disorders

Pulmonary

Work and Education

Professional Education

University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, 05/15/2010

Residency

Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 06/30/2014

Fellowship

Stanford University School of Medicine - Office of Graduate Affairs - Postdoctoral Affairs, Stanford, CA, 06/30/2017

Stanford University School of Medicine - Office of Graduate Affairs - Postdoctoral Affairs, Stanford, CA, 06/30/2018

Board Certifications

Pediatric Pulmonary, American Board of Pediatrics

Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics

Sleep Medicine, American Board of Pediatrics

Conditions Treated

Asthma

Bronchiectasis

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Chronic Cough

Chronic Lung Disease in Infancy

Chronic Ventilator Management

Ciliary Dyskinesias

Congenital Lung Disease

Cystic Fibrosis

Interstitial Lung Disease

Laryngomalacia

Laryngomalacia/Tracheomalacia

Neuromuscular Disease

Pneumonia

Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary Vascular Disease

Sleep Disorders

Sleep Medicine

All Publications

Sparking a Movement, Not a Moment: Framework and Outcomes from a Pediatrics Department-Wide Coalition to Advance Anti-Racism: Running Title: Pediatrics Department Coalition to Advance Anti-Racism. Academic pediatrics Yemane, L., Ramirez, M., Guerin, A., Floyd, B., Okorie, C. U., Ling, W., Addala, A., Figg, L., Talley, E. M., Chamberlain, L. 2022

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The Stanford Pediatrics Advancing Anti-Racism Coalition (SPAARC) was created to promote a culture of anti-racism through immediate action, development of nimble systems, and longitudinal commitment towards equity.OBJECTIVE: Evaluate gaps in the Stanford Department of Pediatrics (DoP) efforts to advance anti-racism and form a coalition of faculty, staff, and trainees to prioritize, design, and implement targeted activities with immediate and long-term measurable outcomes.METHODS: A needs assessment was conducted across all DoP members in July-August 2020 to identify gaps in anti-racism efforts. Listening sessions were recorded and transcribed to extrapolate key themes and two rounds of consensus surveys were done to identify and prioritize actions. Actions teams were created and co-led by faculty-staff dyads with trainee representation. A final activity survey was conducted in January 2021 to determine the specific activities (i.e., interventions) each team would design and implement.RESULTS: Ten small group listening sessions (70 participants) and three surveys (1005 responses) led to the creation of seven action teams with associated activities (1) training (2) community engagement and research (3) communication (4) faculty and staff recruitment and advancement (5) leadership representation (6) human resources, and (7) staff engagement. 443 (41%) DoP members were directly involved in SPAARC through participation in the needs assessment, action teams, and/or implementation of activities.CONCLUSION: SPAARC can serve as an adaptable framework for how a DoP can create a coalition to identify gaps in anti-racism efforts and create and implement targeted activities with associated outcomes.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.acap.2022.10.003

View details for PubMedID 36216211

Pediatric Pulmonary Year in Review 2021: Sleep Medicine. Pediatric pulmonology Okorie, C. U., Afolabi-Brown, O., Tapia, I. E. 2022

Abstract

Pediatric pulmonology publishes original research, review articles, and case reports on a wide variety of pediatric respiratory disorders. In this article, we summarized the past year's publications in sleep medicine and reviewed selected literature from other journals in this field. We focused on original research articles exploring aspects of sleep-disordered breathing in patients with underlying conditions such as Cystic Fibrosis, asthma, and sickle cell disease. We also explored sleep-disordered breathing risk factors, monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment; and included recent recommendations for drug-induced sleep endoscopy and ways to monitor and improve PAP adherence remotely. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

View details for DOI 10.1002/ppul.26047

View details for PubMedID 35779240

The Use of Auto-Titrating Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (AutoCPAP) for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome in Children with Obesity CHILDREN-BASEL Benke, S., Okorie, C. A., Tablizo, M. A. 2021; 8 (12)
Positive Airway Pressure Therapy for Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Children (Basel, Switzerland) Hady, K. K., Okorie, C. U. 2021; 8 (11)

Abstract

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a disorder of breathing during sleep, characterized by intermittent or prolonged upper airway obstruction that can disrupt normal ventilation and/or sleep patterns. It can affect an estimated 2-4% of children worldwide. Untreated OSAS can have far reaching consequences on a child's health, including low mood and concentration as well as metabolic derangements and pulmonary vascular disease. Most children are treated with surgical intervention (e.g., first-line therapy, adenotonsillectomy); however, for those for whom surgery is not indicated or desired, or for those with postoperative residual OSAS, positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy is often employed. PAP therapy can be used to relieve upper airway obstruction as well as aid in ventilation. PAP therapy is effective in treatment of OSAS in children and adults, although with pediatric patients, additional considerations and limitations exist. Active management and care for various considerations important to pediatric patients with OSAS can allow PAP to be an effective and safe therapy in this population.

View details for DOI 10.3390/children8110979

View details for PubMedID 34828692

ATS Core Curriculum 2021. Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine: Pulmonary Infections. ATS scholar Gross, J. E., McCown, M. Y., Okorie, C. U., Bishay, L. C., Dy, F. J., Astudillo, C. L., Muhlebach, M. S., Abu-Nassar, S., Chen, D. Y., Hossain, N., Wang, R., Klouda, T., Martiniano, S. L., Lenhart-Pendergrass, P., Kirkby, S., Ortenberg, R., McSparron, J. I., Wang, T., Hayes, M. M., Coruh, B. 2021; 2 (3): 452-467

Abstract

The following is a concise review of the Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine Core reviewing pediatric pulmonary infections, diagnostic assays, and imaging techniques presented at the 2021 American Thoracic Society Core Curriculum. Molecular methods have revolutionized microbiology. We highlight the need to collect appropriate samples for detection of specific pathogens or for panels and understand the limitations of the assays. Considerable progress has been made in imaging modalities for detecting pediatric pulmonary infections. Specifically, lung ultrasound and lung magnetic resonance imaging are promising radiation-free diagnostic tools, with results comparable with their radiation-exposing counterparts, for the evaluation and management of pulmonary infections. Clinicians caring for children with pulmonary disease should ensure that patients at risk for nontuberculous mycobacteria disease are identified and receive appropriate nontuberculous mycobacteria screening, monitoring, and treatment. Children with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) typically present with mild symptoms, but some may develop severe disease. Treatment is mainly supportive care, and most patients make a full recovery. Anticipatory guidance and appropriate counseling from pediatricians on social distancing and diagnostic testing remain vital to curbing the pandemic. The pediatric immunocompromised patient is at risk for invasive and opportunistic pulmonary infections. Prompt recognition of predisposing risk factors, combined with knowledge of clinical characteristics of microbial pathogens, can assist in the diagnosis and treatment of specific bacterial, viral, or fungal diseases.

View details for DOI 10.34197/ats-scholar.2021-0034RE

View details for PubMedID 34667993

The Use of Auto-titrating Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (autoCPAP) for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome in Children with Obesity Benke, S., Okorie, C. A., Platter, L., Tablizo, M. A. AMER THORACIC SOC. 2021

Abstract

Positive airway pressure can be an effective and safe therapy for children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Few studies have assessed the safety and efficacy of autoCPAP in pediatric patients with obesity.This was a retrospective chart review of children with obesity (Body Mass Index (BMI) > 99th percentile), ages 2-18, diagnosed with OSAS (Obstructive Apnea-Hypopnea Index (OAHI) > 1/h) and used autoCPAP with 30-day adherence. Exclusion criteria included patients with complex comorbidities. Adherence was defined as autoCPAP use 4 h/night for at least 21/30 days. Baseline PSG OAHI was compared to the AHI from the 30-day autoCPAP compliance report. We also compared autoCPAP 30-day 95th percentile pressures with the pressures from PAP titration.The study included 19 children, ranging 5-15 years old. The median BMI was 99.6th percentile and average adherence was 25/30 nights with mean of 7.3 h/night. The median OAHI was 12.3/h on baseline PSG and the 30-day autoCPAP download AHI decreased to 1.7/h. No adverse outcomes were identified. The average difference between 95th percentile autoCPAP pressure and PAP titration pressure was 0.89 cmH20.Our study suggests autoCPAP is effective and safe for the treatment of OSAS in pediatric patients with obesity. Using autoCPAP may reduce delays in treatment. Additional research is needed to verify the long-term effectiveness of autoCPAP in this population.

View details for Web of Science ID 000685468903106

View details for PubMedID 34943400

Sleep Disordered Breathing and Prader-Willi Syndrome Complex Sleep Breathing Disorders Okorie, C. U., Ingram, D. G. Springer. 2021: 197-203
ATS Core Curriculum 2020. Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine. ATS scholar Gross, J. E., McCown, M. Y., Okorie, C., Bishay, L. C., Dy, F. J., Rettig, J. S., Baker, C. D., Balmes, J. R., Barber, A. T., Bose, S. K., Casey, A., Hawkins, S. M., Kass, A., Keim, G., Mokhallati, N., Montgomery, G., Peranteau, W. H., Serrano, R., Vece, T. J., Yehya, N., Boyer, D., Hayes, M. M. 2020; 1 (4): 45675

Abstract

The American Thoracic Society Core Curriculum updates clinicians annually in adult and pediatric pulmonary disease, medical critical care, and sleep medicine, in a 3- to 4-year recurring cycle of topics. These topics will be presented at the 2020 International Conference. Below is the pediatric pulmonary medicine core, including pediatric hypoxemic respiratory failure; modalities in noninvasive management of chronic respiratory failure in childhood; surgical and nonsurgical management of congenital lung malformations; an update on smoke inhalation lung injury; an update on vaporizers, e-cigarettes, and other electronic delivery systems; pulmonary complications of sarcoidosis; pulmonary complications of congenital heart disease; and updates on the management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

View details for DOI 10.34197/ats-scholar.2020-0022RE

View details for PubMedID 33870313

The nocturnal-polysomnogram and "non-hypoxic sleep-disordered-breathing" in children SLEEP MEDICINE Guilleminault, C., Huang, Y., Chin, W., Okorie, C. 2019; 60: 3144
Sleep The Handbook of Personal Health and Wellbeing for Physicians and Trainees Okorie, C. U. edited by Weiss Roberts, L., Trockel, M. Springer International Publishing. 2019

Abstract

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), a progressive fungal allergic lung disease, is a common complication of asthma or cystic fibrosis. Although ABPA has been recognized since the 1950s, recent research has underscored the importance of Th2 immune deviation and granulocyte activation in its pathogenesis. There is also strong evidence of widespread under-diagnosis due to the complexity and lack of standardization of diagnostic criteria. Treatment has long focused on downregulation of the inflammatory response with prolonged courses of oral glucocorticosteroids, but more recently concerns with steroid toxicity and availability of new treatment modalities has led to trials of oral azoles, inhaled amphotericin, pulse intravenous steroids, and subcutaneously-injected anti-IgE monoclonal antibody omalizumab, all of which show evidence of efficacy and reduced toxicity.

View details for DOI 10.3390/jof2020017

View details for PubMedID 29376934

View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5753079

Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis. Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Tracy, M. C., Okorie, C. U., Foley, E. A., Moss, R. B. 2016; 2 (2)
Diagnosis And Management Of Sporadic Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation Not Associated With Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia Okorie, C., Bhargava, S. AMER THORACIC SOC. 2016
A Presentation Of Hepatopulmonary Syndrome In A Five Year Old During Evaluation For Miliary Tuberculosis Okorie, C. U., Mark, J. D. AMER THORACIC SOC. 2015
Successful Treatment Of Mineral Oil Associated Lipoid Pneumonia In An Infant Okorie, C., Powers, M. AMER THORACIC SOC. 2013