Pediatric Endocrinology
The UCDMC division of pediatric endocrinology is internationally renowned for its innovative clinical care and research. Families seek care from this division from all over Northern California extending into Oregon and Nevada with their culturally-rich environment. Satellite clinics and telemedicine programs expand the clinical reach of the division to those patients who cannot travel to UCDMC. Our group has achieved ranking as one of the top 50 programs for pediatric endocrinology in the U.S. News & World Report list for the last four years.
The care of children with diabetes is an education intensive process and the division developed innovative programs for the care of these patients, supported in large part by an innovation award from the Medical Center. Thus our well-functioning team of physicians, clinical diabetes educator certified nurses, and dietitians and a social worker are joined by a diabetes concierge who increases efficiency by gathering enhanced clinical information during the outpatient visit. Further, our non-mydriatic ophthalmologic evaluation in clinic ensures that annual screening for ocular complications of diabetes occur.
Experienced faculty attend to all pediatric endocrine conditions in addition to diabetes. Faculty have written clinical chapters on diabetes, endocrine emergencies, growth and puberty in the most prominent textbooks as well as a handbook of pediatric endocrinology.
Besides our primary UCDMC pediatric endocrine clinic, we provide care in:
- Combined Neuro-Oncology clinic
- Adolescent diabetes clinic
- Gender dysphoria clinic
- Sexual differentiation clinic
We have pioneered telememedicine clinics in pediatric endocrinology for several distant sites. A satellite clinic in Chico likewise allows families to access our services further afield in Northern California.
Faculty in pediatric endocrinology carry out research funded by the NIH, American Diabetes Association, USDA and other national and local sources.
Faculty research focuses upon:
- Optimal treatment in diabetic ketoacidosis
- The etiology of cerebral edema in diabetic ketoacidosis
- Cognitive defects in survivors of diabetic ketoacidosis
- Family dynamics and control of diabetes in children and teenagers
- The endocrine effects of post traumatic head injury on pituitary function
- The association of ambulatory care utilization and preventable hospitalization for diabetes ketoacidosis
- New ways to deliver care in order to improve outcomes and prevent complications for children with type 1 diabetes
- The use of low literacy photographic assessment tools to determine risk for the development of obesity in preschool children
- Community-based participatory research in reducing health disparities in Indian and African American communities
Our faculty provides continuing medical education nationally and internationally as well as within the UCD MC community.
Divisional faculty have received awards for research and mentoring along with a promising young faculty award at UCDMC.
Graduates of our ACGME approved Fellowship program have achieved faculty positions at UCDMC and other universities.