Pediatric Endocrinology clinics is an attempt to streamline the care of children with various hormonal diseases. In children hormonal diseases are less easily identified and hence delayed in treatment. We deal with pediatric endocrine diseases involving all hormones.
Children can develop various hormonal problems. These can start from the time of birth like congenital hypothyroidism and growth hormone deficiency to conditions like hypogonadism which may be identified at pubertal age group. The main endocrine diseases in children are:
Diabetes comes in multiple forms in children. The most common form in children is type 1 diabetes, which is caused by a deficiency in the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is most diagnosed in adults but can also affect young adults and even some adolescents. Type 2 diabetes is associated with weight gain and inactivity, but genetic factors also contribute. Diabetes can also develop in infants and very young children related to various genetic diseases.
It is not unusual to see thyroid disease in children. However, unlike adults’ children have symptoms which are unusual in adults. These important symptoms in children are: Slowing of height – an important early sign of hypothyroidism in children, pubertal development that may be delayed in adolescents and weight gain. An important finding on physical examination is an enlarged thyroid, also called a goiter.
In children, hypothyroidism can be present at birth (a condition called congenital hypothyroidism) or it can develop later in childhood. When the thyroid gland stops working despite being normal in the newborn period it is called ‘acquired’ hypothyroidism.
Short stature means that a child is shorter than 95% to 97% of other children of the same age and sex. This is assessed with the help of a growth chart and other tests by the doctor. Short stature treatment depends on the underlying cause of the condition. There are many causes like Growth hormone deficiency, Malnutrition, Thyroid illness, Pubertal disorders, Chronic illness in childhood, and Genetic reasons. If the child is found to have Growth hormone deficiency it can be treated with injections of human growth hormone
