Division of Pediatric Endocrinology & Genetics

The Pediatric Diabetes Center

We provide comprehensive care to children and adolescents with both type 1 (juvenile-onset; insulin-dependent) and type 2 (adult-onset; non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. The hallmark of the Childhood Diabetes Center is an individualized approach to each and every child with diabetes that incorporates a team of pediatric diabetes specialists. The team includes highly educated nurses, nurse practitioners, dieticians, and social workers, all with years of experience working with children and adolescents with diabetes. Our diabetes nurse is a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDEs), just another indication of our commitment to high quality care. As much as possible, we provide coordinated outpatient care from diagnosis through chronic management. When at all possible we strive to provide outpatient management for newly diagnosed diabetics.

Type 1 Diabetes

Of the hundreds of adolescents and children with diabetes for whom we provide specialty care, almost a third receive their daily insulin needs via a mini-pump, which permits a high degree of flexibility but which also mandates intensive monitoring. The insulin pump is not for every patient with type 1 diabetes. However, our commitment to every family is the same: to achieve the best level of blood sugar control possible given their child's own unique situation. Children with type 1 diabetes may have other disorders including thyroid disease and celiac disease. Our endocrinology, gastroenterology and nutrition staff work together to integrate the management of these disorders. Our commitment to diabetes care also extends to the laboratory where members of the pediatric endocrinology group are working to determine the protein factors in cells that control the development of the insulin producing Beta cell with the aim of developing a means to reproduce beta cell function. We also collaborate with the diabetes immunology laboratory on clinical and laboratory studies to understand the cause of type 1 diabetes and its treatment (click on "Other Resources" to learn more about issues in diabetes care and research).

Type 2 Diabetes

We have the same commitment to personalized, multidisciplinary care of patients with type 2 diabetes, traditionally a disorder which first arises in adults, but one that has become increasingly common among children and adolescents. We work with our other Pediatric subspecialists to provide a comprehensive approach to children with Type 2 Diabetes.

 

Growth Disorders

We remain dedicated to offering patients with growth disorders state-of-the-art evaluation and therapy. Neuroendocrinology: The staff of the Pediatric Endocrine Division work closely with Augusta University specialists in neurosurgery, neuroradiology, and pediatric oncology to assure state-of-the-art diagnostic studies and treatment for children with pituitary disorders, including Cushing's disease, pituitary adenomas, and the consequences of childhood CNS tumors.

Reproductive Endocrinology

The Pediatric Endocrine Unit provides expert care for children and adolescents with disorders of puberty and menstrual cycle disturbances.

 

 

Intersex Disorders

The Division of Pediatric Endocrinology works together with colleagues in Genetics, Psychiatry, and Pediatric Surgery / Urology to offer multidisciplinary consultation and expert care for all children with intersex disorders.

Medical students interested in pediatrics are encouraged to take our fourth-year elective course to learn about the practice of pediatric endocrinology.