Management of endocrine disorders paediatric to adult care — ASN Events

Management of endocrine disorders paediatric to adult care (#112)

D. Jane Holmes-Walker 1
  1. Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia

Adult endocrinologists need a working knowledge of management of endocrine disorders in adolescence particularly management of pubertal induction in those with delayed puberty. Treatment will have impact on final adult height, development of secondary sexual characteristics, sexual function and reproductive potential. While often growth hormone therapy has been completed at the time of transition, pubertal induction may not yet be complete or in some cases may not have been initiated. Treatment for pubertal induction  is common in patients with germinomas, craniopharyngiomas  and other causes of hypopituitarism and in Turners syndrome. Similarly Klinefelters syndrome may not be diagnosed until late teenage years or early 20s and commonly presents to adult endocinologists with failure of onset of beard growth or of testicular and penile development. In boys constitutionally delayed puberty may also present to an adult endocrinologist. The adult endocrinologist needs to be able to implement treatment for pubertal induction and monitor outcomes of therapy,  adjusting therapy as required to achieve appropriate development (including BMD). Just as important is an understanding of the psychosocial impact of treatment in this critical phase of late adolescent development. Other endocrine disorders requiring management by adult endocrinologists after transition include congenital adrenal hyperplasia, both classical and late onset, and autoimmune polyendocrinopathies in addition to the usual conditions seen in adulthood which can present in adolescence prior to transition.  Case histories will be presented with discussion of treatment and monitoring required for different conditions.

@ESASRB