Paediatric (Ped) Endocrinology

Paediatric Endocrinology is a branch of medicine that helps with the diagnosis, treatment, and management of hormonal disorders in children. Our team of expert paediatric endocrinologists are committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate care for children with endocrine disorders.

We understand that dealing with an endocrine disorder can be overwhelming for both children and their families. That's why we prioritise communication and education, ensuring that our patients and their families understand their condition and the treatment options available to them. We work closely with each patient and their family to develop a personalised treatment plan that meets their unique needs and goals.

Conditions treated in the Pediatric Endocrinology Department

Paediatric endocrinologists treat a wide range of hormonal disorders in children, including:

• Short Stature: Short stature is a condition in which children do not grow as much as others of their age, gender, and ethnicity. Inflammatory disorders, hypothyroidism, and heart and kidney diseases can all cause short stature in children. 
• Childhood Diabetes: It is a condition characterised by high sugar levels in a child's blood. The exact cause of diabetes is unknown, but it can be managed with proper nutrition and medications.
• Obesity: Obesity is a growing concern in children and can lead to high blood pressure and heart conditions.
• Pubertal Gynecomastia: Pubertal gynecomastia is a rare condition found in adolescent boys, where there is a noncancerous overgrowth of male breasts caused due to the proliferation of glandular components.
• Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism occurs due to the lack of hormones produced by the thyroid gland. It is mainly caused by an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
• Hyperthyroidism: It occurs when the thyroid gland produces excess thyroxine, leading to weight loss and irregular heartbeat. Anti-thyroid medications can help children manage hyperthyroidism.
• Delayed Puberty: Delayed puberty is diagnosed when there are no signs of puberty in a son by the age of 14 and in a daughter by age 12 with no menstruation until the age of 14. Trauma to the head, anorexia, bulimia, and radiation therapies can result in delayed puberty. Genetic disorders, underactive thyroid, and hypothyroidism can also cause delayed puberty. 
• Precocious Puberty: Precocious puberty occurs when girls show signs of puberty before age eight and boys before age nine. Children with precocious puberty may experience overgrowth during their early years and stop growing after a time. 
• Hypercalcemia: Hypercalcemia is a condition where the calcium level in a child's blood is above normal. Overactive parathyroid glands can cause hypercalcemia, leading to kidney stones and weakened bones. 
• Hypocalcemia: Hypocalcemia is a condition where calcium levels are too low in a child's blood. Abnormal levels of parathyroid hormones or vitamin D in a child's body are responsible for hypocalcemia. 
• Turner Syndrome: Turner syndrome is a condition found only in females, where one of the X chromosomes is missing entirely or partially. Turner syndrome can cause various developmental problems like short height and failure of the ovaries, and it can also lead to heart defects.
• Ambiguous Genitals: Ambiguous genitals are a rare condition where the newborn's external genitals cannot be identified as male or female. This usually occurs when hormone abnormalities during pregnancy disturb the development of sex organs in the fetus. 
• Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is a disorder that affects the functions of the adrenal glands, which produce essential hormones like cortisol that regulate the body's responses to illness and stress. Replacement hormone therapy is a treatment option for congenital adrenal hyperplasia. For girls, reconstructive surgery is also an option. 

When to see a pediatric endocrinologist?

If you notice any of the following signs in your child, it may be time to schedule a visit with a pediatric endocrinologist:

• Being overweight or underweight: If your child is underweight, the specialists at the pediatric endocrinology department will want to investigate if there are any underlying conditions like ADHD that may be impacting their appetite. If your child is obese, the doctors will evaluate their nutritional level and physical activity and may also order tests to check for conditions like hypothyroidism or diabetes.
• Adult-like body odour at a young age: While adult-like body odour in children may not always be a cause for concern, it can sometimes indicate early puberty or congenital adrenal hyperplasia and thus should be evaluated by a pediatric endocrinologist.
• Constant thirst and frequent urination: If your child is experiencing these symptoms, it may be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) or diabetes. A urine test can help diagnose a UTI, while further tests may be needed to diagnose diabetes.
• Unusual growth patterns: If your child is growing too fast or too slow, it could be a sign of an abnormal amount of growth hormones in their body. A visit to the pediatric endocrinology department can help diagnose and manage this condition.

If you suspect that your child may have an endocrine disorder or if your child has been diagnosed with an endocrine disorder and requires specialised care, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced paediatric endocrinologists at Max Healthcare. Our team is dedicated to providing comprehensive, personalised care to help your child achieve optimal health outcomes.

Review

Reviewed by Dr. Ganesh Jevalikar, Principal Consultant - Paediatric Endocrinology on 19-April-2023.