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What Is Pediatric Endocrinology?

Pediatric endocrinology specializes in treating disorders of the endocrine system in children. The endocrine system includes the thyroid, parathyroid, hypothalmus, pituitary, adrenal, ovaries, testes and pancreas. Disorders of the endocrine system typically result in hormonal imbalances. Pediatric endocrinologists receive extensive training in how to diagnose and treat children with problems related to the glands within the endocrine system.

  1. Types

    • Pediatric endocrinology studies and treats conditions such as obesity, diabetes, hirsutism (hair overgrowth), ambiguous genitalia, breast development in males, metabolic bone disease, thyroid dysfunction, growth hormone deficiencies, gland cancers, Turner's syndrome, Klinefelter's syndrome, early puberty, delayed puberty and menstrual problems in teenage girls. These conditions arise in children when glands within the body fail to excrete proper amounts of necessary hormones.

    Time Frame

    • In some cases pediatric endicrinologists treat conditions in infants and very young children when symptoms present in the first few months of life. However, other conditions may be not diagnosed until childhood or adolescence. In particular, physicians typically diagnose problems with delayed puberty in the teenage years.

    Identification

    • Pediatric endocrinology specializes in the identification and treatment of disorders that affects a child's thyroid, adrenal glands and any other glands within the body. The study of pediatric endocrinology aims to treat children who have diabetes or who have issues with proper growth or the transition to puberty.

    Considerations

    • Regular pediatricians can treat some mild disorders of the endocrine system. However, typically a pediatrician will refer a child to a pediatric endocrinologist if the problem continues to cause issues or if the child is severely affected. Major hospitals typically employ specialists such as pediatric endocrinologists.

    Benefits

    • Visiting a doctor trained in pediatric endocrinology can help insure that a child who has an endocrine disorder receives the best and most up-to-date treatments. Pediatric endocrinologists receive training in general pediatrics and specialized training in endocrinology. Pediatric endocrinologists educate parents about endocrine disorders and help parents to care for children with endocrine disorders.

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