Endocrinology: Clinical Activities

The Division of Pediatric Endocrinology continues to grow rapidly to meet the rising demands of the community. Since 2002, the division has more than doubled in size to meet the increase in clinical volume from 5,000 visits per year to almost 13,000 visits expected in 2009. The division has 13 full- and part-time faculty members to continue to provide comprehensive care for children with endocrine disorders, obesity and diabetes.

The Endocrinology Center provides 10 half-day clinic sessions per week for patients, including approximately 1,600 new patient consultations yearly. The Diabetes Program provides a comprehensive bilingual education program for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and is one of only four pediatric programs in Texas certified by the American Diabetes Association. The diabetes program also was the first pediatric program in the country to receive disease-specific certification from the Joint Commission.

Childhood obesity
The COACH (Center for Obesity and its Consequences in Health) clinic continues to provide the only comprehensive program for childhood obesity in North Texas, with more than 600 referrals per year. Referrals to the COACH Clinic originate from several sources, including school nurses and primary care physicians. Once a child has been identified as obese, it is a simple matter of obtaining a few screening studies to ensure the child is appropriately assigned to care. A systematic approach is used to evaluate and treat these obese children, including detailed diet and exercise histories and recommendations for new regimens based on a child's health needs.

Type 2 diabetes diagnosis
If type 2 diabetes is diagnosed on a glucose tolerance test, the patient and family are given diabetes education and appropriate medications. Expansion of the clinic to the Children's at Legacy campus in Plano, Texas, provides approximately 1,100 visits per year in this fast-growing area of North Texas.

Clinical research increases significantly
The development of clinical research studies and interventional trials has increased significantly in the division over the past year and provides an opportunity to incorporate leading-edge technology into the care of the patient population. The Endocrinology inpatient service provides care for more than 600 patients admitted to the service yearly, including 260 patients with new-onset diabetes. In addition, the Endocrinology inpatient service will provide approximately 300 consultations to other services during the same time period.