AMERICAN HOSPITAL DUBAI PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY
What is Pediatric Endocrinology?
Pediatric endocrinology is a sub-specialty in medicine dealing with the disorders of the endocrine glands and hormones in children. Hormones are critical in body development, including promoting growth, regulating sugar, metabolizing food, and ensuring normal sexual functions and sleep. Any variations in physical growth and sexual development or the development of diabetes and other hormone-related conditions in children involve the field of pediatric endocrinology. Too little or too much hormone output in the body creates problems.
What Is the Endocrine System?
Our endocrine system includes the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal gland and pancreas, which release hormones. The endocrine system also influences heartbeat, bone and tissue growth, and fertility.
Our endocrinal glands include:
- Adrenal glands
- Hypothalamus
- Ovaries
- Islet cells in the pancreas
- Thyroid
- Parathyroid
- Pineal gland
- Pituitary gland
- Testes
- Thymus
What Causes Pediatric Endocrine Disorders?
An imbalance in your child's hormonal output leads to conditions specific to the gland. For example, if the pancreas is malfunctioning, it leads to diabetes. A growth delay can be due to insufficient pituitary gland hormones or delayed puberty due to adrenal gland problems.
What Are the Types of Pediatric Endocrine Disorders?
Hormonal imbalance creates several conditions in children, including the following:
- Growth disorders: These include stunted or excessive growth (very short stature or gigantism). If the pituitary gland produces high growth hormones, it leads to an abnormal growth rate and vice versa.
- Intersex disorders: These conditions lead to sexual ambiguity due to an imbalance in the gender hormones.
- Diabetes/Hypoglycemia: A malfunctioning pancreas leads to diabetes or low blood glucose.
- Adrenal insufficiency: The shortage of the hormone cortisol released by the adrenal gland can result in fatigue, nausea, indigestion, dehydration and skin mutation, among other symptoms.
- Hyperthyroidism/Hypothyroidism: Both conditions are caused by abnormal hormones released by the thyroid gland. Hyperthyroidism (high levels) leads to severe weight loss, arrhythmia, profuse sweating and anxiety. Hypothyroidism (low levels) leads to fatigue, constipation, dry skin and depression.
- Precocious puberty: Glands cause premature release of hormones, bringing on early puberty.
- Puberty disorders: Early onset or delayed puberty
- Bone disorders: Brittle bones, abnormal bone formations, bone mass disorders and other conditions. The thyroid hormone plays a critical role in average bone growth.
- Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH): It is a condition in which children are born with a malfunctioning adrenal gland, which leads to insufficient output of three important hormones, cortisol (maintains energy, blood pressure and blood sugar), aldosterone, and androgens (development of male characteristics). CAH leads to rapid early growth and sudden cessation, atypical sex organs, early puberty, excessive hair growth, etc.
- Psychosocial dwarfism: It is a condition caused by severe psychological stress to a child. The Growth Hormone (GH) is suppressed, causing the child to stop growing and delaying puberty.
American Hospital Dubai's endocrinologists treat infants to young adults across conditions in endocrinology and metabolism.
How Are Pediatric Endocrine Disorders Diagnosed?
We conduct tests to diagnose or rule out endocrine conditions depending on the child's symptoms.
Some of the most common tests include:
- Blood/Urine tests.
- CT (Computed tomography) scans
- MRIs (Magnetic resonance imaging).
- PET (Positron emission tomography) scans.
- Hormone Stimulation tests.
- Thyroid tests.
- Bone density/Bone Mineral tests.
How Are Pediatric Endocrine Disorders Treated?
Treatment is based on the specific endocrine disorder and may include hormone replacement therapies, medication, or other approaches.
Our Pediatric Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes services accept referrals for evaluation and treatment of children.
We treat the following conditions:
- Abnormal growth
- Abnormal hypothalamic and pituitary function.
- Adrenal and gonadal disorders.
- Calcium disorders.
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
- Diabetes insipidus.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Comprehensive diabetes care.
- Insulin pump therapy.
- Continuous glucose monitoring (GCM).
- Diseases and deficiencies of the thyroid.
- Hypoglycemia.
- Precocious puberty.
- Psychosocial dwarfism.
Why Choose American Hospital Dubai for Your Child's Endocrine Health?
The American Hospital Dubai's Pediatric Endocrinology Department is one of the most advanced in the region, offering tailored treatment and care for your child's specific needs. Our endocrinologists provide the latest, evidence-based and research-led treatments, ensuring your child receives the most effective care.
- Comprehensive and Child-focused: Your family will experience compassion and dedication for your child with our safe and effective treatment approaches.
- Multidisciplinary and Coordinated Care: American Hospital Dubai's multidisciplinary philosophy means our pediatric endocrinologists work closely with other subspecialties to provide your child with the most effective and integrated treatment.
- Precision Diagnosis and Treatment: From ordering the correct lab tests and doing precise analysis of results to knowing the difference between treating small children and adolescents, our endocrinologist
- Best-in-class Pediatric Endocrinologists: We have some of the best pediatric endocrinologists in Dubai, offering your child personalized endocrinological care.
- Family Support: We know how concerned you are about your child's health. We guide and support you every step of your child's treatment journey, ensuring we work as a team.
Give Your Child the Best Endocrinological Treatments
Childhood endocrine disorders require specialized care and diagnosis because the conditions produce different symptoms in children. A care team skilled in providing accurate diagnoses and correct treatments in a compassionate way is paramount to helping the child maintain health.
American Hospital Dubai's team of pediatric endocrinologists are fully abreast of new developments and therapies in the field and offer the solutions you are looking for. For more information on our treatments and doctors, call 0097143775500
