Pediatric Endocrinology

Care for Children with Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders

Pediatric Endocrinology is a subspecialty of medicine that deals with disorders of children’s endocrine systems. The endocrine system is made up of glands — such as the thyroid, pituitary gland, adrenal gland and pancreas — that produce hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers that send signals to the tissues and organs of your body through the blood.

Request an Appointment

The endocrine system manages growth and development as well as your metabolism, which includes digestion, elimination, respiration, blood circulation and the ability to manage body temperature. It affects sexual function and reproduction, as well as your moods. The most common endocrine disease in the United States is diabetes.

Endocrine System

Pediatric Diabetes

Diabetes that occurs in children is known as Type 1 diabetes. In children with this disease, important, insulin-producing cells in the pancreas have been destroyed. Type 1 diabetes is a manageable disease. Our state-of-the-art diabetes therapy places an emphasis on insulin pumps and continuous glucose sensors. Physicians at RWJBarnabas Health are active clinical research investigators in the areas of diabetes and other endocrine disorders.

Our endocrinologists, clinical social workers and dieticians can help children with diabetes learn how to live a healthy lifestyle that will ensure their healthy development.

Learn more about pediatric diabetes care at RWJBarnabas Health.

When to See a Pediatric Endocrinologist

When something goes wrong with the endocrine system, it can affect the whole body. Often, a child’s primary care provider will suspect that they have hormonal issues, and will recommend they visit a specialist for testing and diagnosis. If you are concerned about your child’s growth and development, it may be time to see an endocrinologist.

Comprehensive Pediatric Endocrinology Services

RWJBarnabas Health’s comprehensive pediatric endocrinology services include evaluation, diagnosis, medical treatment, surgery and follow-up care for congenital and acquired endocrine disorders. We are home to a center of excellence for the treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and are a referral center for a new pharmacological treatment for children with achondroplasia (short stature).

Treatment for endocrine disease may include hormone therapy or other medications, or surgical gland removal such as a thyroidectomy.

We keep our evaluation methods both current and comprehensive. Pediatric endocrinologists across our New Jersey facilities are equipped with the most advanced and least invasive treatment techniques available.

Family-Focused Care

When you turn to us for the pediatric endocrinology needs of your child, you are choosing a vast health care system that is more than just compassionate. We are family-focused. You’ll be met with the compassion, integrity and regard for your children and family that sets us apart from other New Jersey pediatric health care providers.

We strive to provide care that is safe, effective and respectful of the dignity and individuality of your child and family.

For children who require surgery, Child Life specialists are available as a comforting and informed resource for your family. They can tell your child what they can expect during their hospital stay and help make it a more positive experience.

Multidisciplinary, State-of-the-Art Evaluation and Treatment

Some children with complex endocrine problems may require the expertise of a variety of pediatric specialists in fields other than endocrinology.

In partnership with Rutgers Health, RWJBarnabas Health offers access to the latest technology and a wealth of expertise in every pediatric specialty including radiology, anesthesiology, oncology, orthopedics and neurology. Whenever necessary, specialists from across the spectrum of care will work together to meet the needs of our young patients.

Meet Our Pediatric Endocrinology Team

Pediatric Endocrine Conditions We Treat

Endocrine conditions we treat include:

• Adrenogenital disorders, including congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Early and delayed disorders of puberty
• Endocrine causes and complications of obesity, including:
  • Insulin resistance
  • Dyslipidemia
  • Pre-diabetes
• Endocrine disorders secondary to childhood cancer treatment
• Growth and pubertal issues affecting children and adolescents with:
  • Turner syndrome
  • Noonan syndrome
  • Prader-Willi syndrome
  • SHOX deficiency disorders
  • Klinefelter syndrome
• Lipid disorders, including genetic forms of:
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Hypertriglyceridemia
• Pituitary gland disorders
• Short stature and growth issues
• Thyroid disorders, including:
  • Congenital hypothyroidism
  • Autoimmune Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
  • Graves’ disease
• Types 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus, also rare MODY forms of diabetes
• Vitamin D, calcium, phosphorous and bone disorders, including rickets

Pediatric Endocrine Disease Programs and Specialties

RWJBarnabas Health is one of the largest and most diverse health care networks in the state of New Jersey. We offer access to comprehensive programs unlike any other in the state. Our teams provide evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care to infants, children and adolescents with endocrine and metabolic disorders, with a special emphasis on the following programs and treatments:

• Diabetes care
• Nutritional counseling
• Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program

CAH Center of Excellence — A Comprehensive Care Center

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a genetic disorder that affects the adrenal glands. The Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Comprehensive Care Clinic at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Univerity Medical School (RWJMS) is one of only eight CAH Centers of Excellence designated by the CARES Foundation in the United States, and the only one in the state of New Jersey. Our partnership with the medical school enables a multidisciplinary team from RWJMS to provide our patients with access to pediatric endocrinologists, genetic counseling, neonatologists, reproductive specialists and nutrition services in addition to education and social work support.

Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship

RWJBarnabas Health offers the only pediatric endocrinology fellowship training program in New Jersey. We help our physicians develop the skills and knowledge they need to care for children with endocrine and metabolic diseases.

Request an Appointment