Pediatric Growth & Endocrine Disorders
The endocrine system controls your metabolism, growth and development using hormones. Various organs in your body including the pancreas and pituitary glands produce these hormones (chemical signals).
If hormones are not properly produced, a child’s growth can be disrupted. Our team specializes in the evaluation and treatment of growth-related conditions.
Growth Disorders in Children
The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain and produces various hormones important in growth and development. If there is an abnormality in the pituitary gland, it can lead to problems related to rapid or delayed growth.
A disruption in the pituitary gland could cause growth disorders including:
Pediatric Growth & Development Treatments
A pediatric endocrinologist has special training in treating children with hormonal conditions. Depending on your child’s age and health, their doctor may recommend a variety of treatment options.
Adrenal Disorders
Adrenal production disorders of cortisol, salt balancing mineralocorticoids or adrenal androgens can occur in children. Newborns with adrenal hyperplasia are best referred with our emergency physician on call.
Puberty Disorders
Early and late puberty concerns require evaluation to determine the cause and best treatments.
Thyroid Disorders
The thyroid can be overactive, underactive or can develop nodules and cancer in children. Urgent referrals for newborns with low thyroid levels are best handled through our emergency on-call physician.
Dr. Gary Francis recently led a task force commissioned by the American Thyroid Association (ATA) to develop a set of guidelines for evaluating and treating children with thyroid nodules and cancer. The recently issued guidelines are the first and only set of recommendations that provide best practice standards for diagnosing and treating thyroid cancer in children ages 18 and younger.
Other Endocrine Disorders
Endocrinology conditions may be due to disorders of the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, ovary, testes, bone or pancreas. Expertise specific to pediatric endocrinology disorders is available by board certified pediatric endocrinologists.
If you have any questions, please call 210-358-7551. The physician referral fax number is 210-702-4228 and the clinic fax number is 210-358-7595.
