Pediatric Endocrinology

Which Diseases and Conditions Are Treated?

Pediatric endocrinology diagnoses and monitors a very wide range of diseases. The main health problems we most frequently encounter and treat in our department include:

Growth Delay and Short Stature

If a child fails to show the expected height and weight gain compared to their peers, it may indicate an underlying growth hormone deficiency. Growth delay treatment in children yields highly successful results when initiated before the child's growth plates close. Growth hormone therapies and nutritional support aim to help children reach their ideal height potential.

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most common endocrine problems in childhood. Type 1 diabetes, which occurs when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, requires lifelong insulin use. Today, due to increasing physical inactivity and poor dietary habits, Type 2 diabetes is also becoming increasingly common in children. Our expert pediatric diabetes doctors ensure that children with diabetes lead a healthy life through blood sugar monitoring, insulin pump applications, and nutritional education.

Precocious and Delayed Puberty

The onset of puberty signs, such as breast development or testicular enlargement, before the age of 8 in girls and 9 in boys is defined as precocious puberty. This condition can lead to early closure of the bones and a short final adult height. With precocious puberty treatment, this process is paused, ensuring the child develops physically and psychologically appropriate for their age. Similarly, conditions where puberty signs begin much later than expected are also evaluated and treated in our department.

Obesity and Weight Problems

Childhood obesity paves the way for serious health problems such as heart disease and diabetes in later life. Hormonal causes like an underactive thyroid or insulin resistance may underlie obesity. At this point, as we mentioned in our article How Do People with Insulin Resistance Lose Weight, proper nutrition and medical follow-up are of great importance. In our hospital, obesity treatment is carried out in a multidisciplinary manner with the support of dietitians and psychologists.

Thyroid Gland Diseases

Underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism) thyroid hormones affect many areas, from children's intellectual development and school success to height growth and weight control. Conditions such as congenital thyroid deficiencies or acquired goiter and Hashimoto's disease are meticulously treated in our department.

Diagnostic Methods

The diagnosis of hormonal diseases in children begins with a detailed physical examination and a review of the child's growth chart. In the laboratories of BHT CLINIC İstanbul Tema Hastanesi, sensitive blood and urine tests measuring hormone levels are safely performed.

When necessary, a wrist X-ray is taken to determine bone age. Additionally, advanced imaging methods such as ultrasonography and MRI (Magnetic Resonance) are utilized to evaluate the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, or reproductive organs. Special stimulation tests are also conducted under controlled clinical conditions to definitively diagnose growth hormone deficiency.

Treatment Methods and Applications

Treatment planning is individually tailored based on each child's age, general health status, and the type of disease. Hormone replacement therapies are applied for hormone deficiencies, while secretion-suppressing medications are used for hormone excess conditions.

Especially in diabetes management, the education of children and their families is the most important part of the treatment. Families receive detailed training on the use of blood glucose meters, insulin injection techniques, and carbohydrate counting. When searching for pediatric endocrinology in Istanbul, our hospital stands out with its comprehensive education and follow-up programs.

Technology and Team

BHT CLINIC İstanbul Tema Hastanesi is a healthcare institution with JCI accreditation, certifying international quality standards. Within the scope of our Küçükçekmece pediatric endocrinology services, even the most complex hormonal diseases can be diagnosed quickly and accurately thanks to our hospital's advanced laboratory and radiology infrastructure.

Our pediatric endocrinology physicians consist of experienced specialists who have completed sub-specialty training in endocrinology on top of their pediatric health and diseases specialization. During treatment processes, a multidisciplinary approach is demonstrated by working in full harmony with other departments such as child psychiatry, nutrition and dietetics, and pediatric surgery.

When Should You Visit Us?

Parents closely monitoring their children's development is a critical step for the early diagnosis of potential diseases. If you observe one or more of the following symptoms in your child, it is recommended to apply to our department without delay:

• Significantly short stature compared to peers or stunted growth.
• Excessive and uncontrolled weight gain or weight loss despite an increased appetite.
• Drinking excessive water, frequent urination, and waking up at night to urinate.
• Breast enlargement before age 8 in girls, and testicular enlargement before age 9 in boys.
• No signs of puberty starting by age 13 in girls and age 14 in boys.
• Noticing a swelling (goiter) in the front of the neck.
• Excessive hair growth, severe acne, or hair loss.
• Constant fatigue, weakness, and a sudden drop in school performance.

Appointment and Examination Process

To entrust your child's growth and development process to reliable hands, you can easily book an appointment at our hospital. Bringing your child's previous height and weight measurements, and any old test results with you during the examination will speed up the evaluation process.

To schedule an appointment immediately and consult with our specialist physicians, you can visit our BHT CLINIC Appointment page or contact us 24/7 through our call center at 0850 811 34 00.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age range does pediatric endocrinology cover?

The pediatric endocrinology department deals with the diagnosis and treatment of hormonal diseases in infants, children, and adolescents, starting from the newborn period up to the age of 18.

How is growth hormone deficiency detected?

A pause in the child's growth chart, noticeably short stature compared to peers, and an insufficient annual growth rate are the most basic symptoms. A definitive diagnosis is made through special hormone stimulation tests performed by a pediatric endocrinologist.

What are the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes in children?

Excessive thirst, drinking much more water than normal, frequent urination, new-onset bedwetting at night, unexplained weight loss despite an increased appetite, and constant fatigue are the most common symptoms.

What is precocious puberty, and can it be treated?

Precocious puberty is the onset of puberty signs (breast development, testicular enlargement, pubic hair growth) before the age of 8 in girls and 9 in boys. With hormone-suppressing treatments applied when necessary, the puberty process can be paused, and the child's normal growth can be secured.

How is obesity treated in children?

First, it is investigated whether there is an underlying hormonal cause for obesity (thyroid diseases, insulin resistance, etc.). If a hormonal problem is detected, medical treatment is initiated. Otherwise, weight control is achieved through healthy diet arrangements and age-appropriate exercise programs guided by nutrition experts.