Overview

Overview

endocrinology

We offer expertise in all areas of Pediatric Endocrinology at Cleveland Clinic Children’s from juvenile diabetes, growth and puberty disorders to sex differentiation. We place special emphasis on understanding how the patient and the family are affected by endocrine disorders.

Our endocrinologists have a wide range of clinical experience and expertise in providing comprehensive diagnosis, treatment and management of complex hormonal problems.

Consultation and evaluation are available on an in- or outpatient basis in the Cleveland area.

We see child and adolescent patients at Cleveland Clinic Children's Outpatient Center, located at Cleveland Clinic's main campus, and at specialty clinics in community hospitals and family health centers in the Northeast Ohio area.

Multidisciplinary approach to care

Along with our pediatric endocrinology department physicians, our multidisciplinary team consists of:

  • Nurses.
  • Certified diabetes educators.
  • Registered dietitians.
  • Social workers.
  • Nurse practitioners.

We work closely with specialists in behavioral medicine and child life to assist our young patients in adjusting to their disease. In addition, we focus on helping adolescents adjust from pediatric to adult disease management.

Research-based treatments

  • Our endocrine staff has played leadership roles in clinical research and drug trials.
  • Current clinical research programs focus on growth disorders and diabetes.

Specialized treatment for juvenile diabetes

  • Our pediatric team provides specialized services for diagnosis, care, education and research related to type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
  • Psychological support and counseling is an important part of the diabetes program.
  • The staff provides continuing care for juvenile diabetes in children and adolescents, with the goal of minimizing hospitalization and preventing diabetic complications.

Recognition

The American Diabetes Association has awarded Education Recognition to the Diabetes Self-Management Services at Cleveland Clinic Children’s.

What We Treat

What We Treat

We treat a wide range of pediatric endocrine disorders including:

We specialize in genetic disorders that are associated with endocrine and hormonal problems, such as:

Programs

Programs

A1C Clinic

A1C Clinic is a clinic to help children and adolescents with diabetes improve their health and well being by achieving better diabetes control. The team includes physicians and nurse practitioners, psychologists, dietitians, and social workers. The clinic is for any aged child or adolescent with any type of diabetes. The goal of the program is to partner with the child and caregivers to help achieve more stable blood sugars, increase independence, overcome challenges, and learn new skills.

Be Well Kids Clinic

The Be Well Kids Clinic brings together a comprehensive team of physicians, researchers and healthcare professionals with expert knowledge in childhood obesity.  The Be Well Kids Clinic works with children (ages 2 to 18*) and their families to develop strategies and create plans for a healthy lifestyle change.

*Ages may vary by location

Thyroid Head and Neck Oncology and Pediatric Endocrine (Thyroid HOPE) Center

The Thyroid HOPE Center offers a unique multidisciplinary approach to the management of children with a variety of head and neck masses, both benign and malignant. Our state-of-the art services, including in-office ultrasound and biopsy capabilities, allow for a comprehensive and expeditious evaluation of head and neck masses. Learn more.

Transition Clinic

The section for Child and Adolescent Pediatric Endocrinology conducts a transition clinic for adolescents as they make the transition to independent adult care.  This program is open for teens with diabetes or any other endocrine condition needing coordinated and gradual transition to adult endocrinology care. 

Call the section for pediatric endocrinology for more information: 216.444.5437 or 800.223.2273, ext. 55437.

eXtraordinarY Kids Care

eXtraordinarY Kids is a program that coordinates multiple experts in different specialties to provide multidisciplinary care for children and adolescents with X and Y chromosome variations, the most common of which is Klinefelter Syndrome. This clinic is recognized by AXYS (Association of X and Y chromosome variations) to help ensure that all families impacted by X and Y chromosome variations have access to the best available evaluation and treatments.

Our Doctors

Our Doctors

Appointments

Appointments

To schedule an appointment, you can do any of the following:

Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Pediatric Infusion Clinics are available. Learn more.

Resources

Resources

Camp Ho Mita Koda

Cleveland Clinic physicians proudly offer their services to Camp Ho Mita Koda, a residential camp for children with diabetes. Since 1929, Camp Ho Mita Koda has taught children about their condition. They design programs that encourage fun and friendships. One of the nation's longest-running camps for children with diabetes, Camp Ho Mita Koda offers a wide-range of year-round programs.

Camp Ho Mita Koda is a program of the Diabetes Partnership of Cleveland  and accredited by the American Camp Association.

Using a Glucagon Emergency Kit

Mini-dose Glucagon Rescue

When children are sick with vomiting and are unable to keep down food or liquids that contain sugars, blood sugars can drop quickly. Low doses of glucagon can be used to raise the blood sugar before they become too low.

  • Mini-dose glucagon rescue should not be done if moderate to large ketones are present.

The 1-mg glucagon emergency kit comes with a bottle containing a tablet and a syringe containing diluting liquid. Inject the syringe containing the liquid into the bottle with the tablet. Push ALL of the contents of the syringe into the bottle, and then gently swirl it to form a clear liquid. Give the following dose, just like you would insulin, using your insulin syringe.

  • If your child is 2 years old or under, give two units
  • Give one additional unit for each year of age for children over age 2. For example. At age 2, give two units; at age 3, give three units; at age 4, give four units; and so on, up to age 15. Children ages 15 or older should receive no more than 15 units

At these small doses, you can expect then blood sugar to rise about 60 to 90mg/dl and to last about one hour. If the blood glucose does not rise enough within 20 to 30 minute, double the glucagon dose and give it again. These doses may be given every one to two hours as needed. Store mixed glucagon in the refrigerator, and use it within 24 hours, if needed. Throw away any unused mixed glucagon after 24 hours.

Things to remember about mini-dose glucagon

  • Glucagon raises the blood sugar by stimulating the release of glycogen stores from the liver and muscles. If blood sugar has been low over a long period of time, glucagon may not work. If, after two doses, the blood sugar does not rise and your child cannot keep anything down, a trip to the emergency room may be in order.
  • Glucagon raises the blood sugar quickly, but it does not keep it up for very long. Food in the form of carbohydrates and protein, is needed to keep blood sugar up in the long run.
  • Do NOT use mini-dose glucagon if your child is unconscious. Instead, give the glucagon dose prescribed by your healthcare provider and call 911.

Managing Diabetes

Questions

  • Endocrinology - 216.444.2200
  • Contact your child’s healthcare provider