What Does Pediatric Endocrinology Look At?
What is pediatric endocrinology? What does pediatric endocrinology look at? Pediatric endocrinology near me, pediatric endocrinology clinic. Pediatric endocrinology deals with all childhood diseases related to the endocrine glands and hormones. This medical science is also referred to as ‘Pediatric Endocrinology.’
Hormones play a crucial role in both the growth and development of individuals and the continuation of life. They ensure the coordinated functioning of organs, with each hormone being secreted by different glands. Disorders arise when these glands work less or more than necessary, fail to function, operate irregularly, or do not develop. All of these fall within the scope of pediatric and adult endocrinology. The term ‘endocrinology’ refers to the study of hormones.
What is Pediatric Endocrinology?
What is pediatric endocrinology? Pediatric endocrinology is a specialized field that deals with hormone disorders and metabolic abnormalities in infants, children, and adolescents, from newborns to 18 years old. Hormones are chemical substances that regulate many essential functions in the body. These chemical messengers are produced by glands and affect a series of processes by reaching target organs through the bloodstream. Basic processes such as growth, development, reproduction, energy regulation, stress response, sleep patterns, and emotional state are controlled through hormones.
Pediatric endocrinology focuses on diagnosing, treating, and monitoring hormonal imbalances, secretion disorders, or problems in the interaction of hormones. This specialty addresses common endocrine system problems in children, covering various conditions such as hormonal disorders and metabolic issues, including growth retardation, diabetes, thyroid diseases, and disorders in sexual development.
Pediatric endocrinologists are specialists who have received specific training to understand and manage issues within this complex system affecting children’s health. They work to support the growth and development of young patients, correct hormonal imbalances, and ensure healthy growth throughout their lives.
Who is a Pediatric Endocrinology Specialist?
Who is a pediatric endocrinology specialist? A pediatric endocrinology specialist is a doctor specialized in hormone disorders and metabolic issues in children. To enter this field, one must first graduate from medical school. Subsequently, completing a residency program in pediatrics to gain expertise in child health and diseases is crucial. Following that, a pediatric endocrinology fellowship is required to enhance knowledge and skills in this specific area.
Pediatric endocrinology specialists work to maintain the overall health of children and support their development. They address various issues such as growth, development, adolescence, diabetes, thyroid diseases, obesity, disorders in sexual development, bone diseases, pituitary diseases, adrenal gland disorders, and more. These specialists implement various treatment and management methods to ensure young patients grow and develop healthily throughout their lives.
What Does Pediatric Endocrinology Look at?
What does pediatric endocrinology look at? Hormones are chemicals produced by the endocrine glands. They play a crucial role in various bodily functions such as metabolism, reproduction, growth, and maintaining a healthy response to biological processes like adolescence and hair growth. Furthermore, hormones help the body respond to various events and ensure the supply of the necessary amount of nutrients and energy for bodily functions.
Any imbalance in hormone levels, structural disorders in glands, or a complete cessation of hormone production can lead to disruptions in these processes. Pediatric endocrinology specialists focus on diagnosing and solving all problems arising from the glands’ failure to perform their duties correctly, the inadequate levels of hormones, or the complete cessation of hormone production.
These specialists, having completed six years of medical education, followed by a 4- or 5-year residency program in pediatrics, and a subsequent 3-year fellowship in pediatric endocrinology, have more than 13 years of training. Pediatric endocrinologists play a crucial role in treating and preventing problems that individuals may encounter in areas such as growth, bone and intelligence development, and puberty.
What Diseases Does the Pediatric Endocrinology Department Treat?
What diseases does the Pediatric Endocrinology Department treat? Some common diseases include:
1. Hypothyroidism (underproduction of thyroid hormones),
2. Hyperthyroidism (overproduction of thyroid hormones),
3. Short stature,
4. Thyroid cancer,
5. Growth retardation,
6. Thyroid nodules,
7. Osteoporosis,
8. Adrenal gland hormone disorders,
9. Inherited hormone disorders,
10. Rickets (insufficient bone mineralization due to vitamin D deficiency),
11. Metabolic diseases of the bones,
12. Early or delayed puberty,
13. Turner syndrome (a chromosomal disorder in girls),
14.Penis problems (micropenis),
15.Growth of thyroid tissue (goiter),
16. Obesity,
17. Failure to gain weight,
18. Low blood sugar,
19. Phosphorus and calcium metabolism disorders,
20. Pituitary gland disorders,
21. Childhood diabetes (Type 1 diabetes),
22. Puberty problems (menstrual problems, irregular menstruation, breast problems, polycystic ovary, excessive hair growth, etc., until individuals reach the age of 18, are handled by pediatric endocrinologists),
23. Disorders in sexual development.
These problems are often noticed shortly after birth. For instance, the failure of male children to urinate through the penis, the absence of eggs in the scrotum, and very small penis size are some of these. In girls, the observation of small lumps in both groins and a very small urethral opening necessitates evaluation by a pediatric endocrinology specialist.