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Diabetes in Children: Pediatric Endocrinology at Children's Mercy, a Kansas City Children's Hospital

The most common type of diabetes in children is Type 1 diabetes or juvenile diabetes; however more children and adolescents are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. The pediatric endocrinology and diabetes department at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri is dedicated to diagnosing, treating and educating patients and their families about endocrine and metabolic disorders including diabetes in children. Some common disorders include growth problems, thyroid and adrenal conditions, juvenile diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Diabetes in Children: What is Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes and Juvenile Diabetes?
The most common type of diabetes in children is Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile diabetes; however, more children and adolescents are now being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. (Read about risk factors for Type 2 diabetes in children.) Type 1 diabetes, typically diagnosed in children and young adults, is when the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar, the basic fuel for body cells. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is now being diagnosed more frequently in children and adolescents. In Type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin.

What are the symptoms of diabetes in children?
Some of the most common symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability and blurry vision.

Where is the best diabetic care for children in Kansas City?

The Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri pediatric endocrinology department is Kansas City's leading specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes in children. Most of our pediatric endocrinology staff members are diabetic educators who specialize in diabetes care in children. The Children's Mercy diabetes education program was the first pediatric program to receive recognition by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for meeting national patient education standards.

We believe that outcome measures and extensive education are integral to our pediatric diabetes education program. Our pediatric endocrinology and diabetes staff provides 8 to 10 hours of initial education per patient and extensive family support. Due to our focus on juvenile diabetes education and despite an increase in the number of patients, nearly 100 percent of our pediatric patients are not re-admitted for diabetic conditions.

How do I select a pediatric endocrinologist in Kansas City and the Midwest?
Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, has leading board-certified pediatric endocrinologists who specialize in complex endocrine and metabolic disorders. Our multidisciplinary team of board-certified/eligible pediatric endocrinologists and pediatric specialists from nursing, nutrition, psychology, social work and child life, assist infants, children and young adults with various hormonal conditions. Our philosophy of pediatric patient care emphasizes self-management through education.

Click on the following pediatric care cards for more information on the best endocrinology and diabetes care in the Midwest:
Type 2 Diabetes in Children
Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes in children

Pediatric Endocrinology Staff

Diabetes in Children: Pediatric Endocrinology

Diabetes in Children Diagnoses

Pediatric Endocrinology Diagnoses

  • Growth Disorders
  • Congenital and acquired thyroid conditions
  • Precocious and delayed puberty disorders
  • Hyperactive and hypoactive adrenal conditions
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Impaired glucose tolerance
  • Various glandular problems and conditions

Pediatric Endocrinology

Services & Treatments

  • Diabetes prevention trials (blood testing)
  • Laboratory testing
  • Medication management
  • Patient education and self-management training

Endocrinology and Diabetes: Outpatient Clinics

Endocrinology and Diabetes: Outreach and Support Services

Children's Mercy South: Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Services

Endocrinology and Diabetes: Home Care Services

Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics is the Kansas City region's exclusive pediatric medical center and health care network. Our physicians, nurses and technicians are all trained specifically to work with children. We provide the finest care possible in the following pediatric subspecialties: Adolescent Medicine; Allergy/Asthma/Immunology; Anesthesiology; Bone Marrow Transplant; Burn/Trauma Care; Cardiology; Cardiovascular Surgery; Cleft Palate/Craniofacial; Comprehensive Sleep Disorders Center; Critical Care Medicine; Dentistry; Dermatology; Developmental and Behavioral Sciences; Ear, Nose and Throat (Otorhinolaryngology); Emergency Medicine; Endocrinology/Diabetes; Gastroenterology; General Pediatrics; General/Thoracic/Urologic Surgery; Genetics; Gynecological Surgery; Hearing and Speech; Liver Transplant; Hematology/Oncology; Hospitalists; Infectious Disease; Medical Research; Medical Toxicology; Minimally Invasive Surgery; Neonatology; Nephrology: Kidney Transplant; Neurology; Neurosurgery; Nursing; Occupational Therapy; Home Care; Ophthalmology; Orthopaedic Surgery; Pathology/Laboratory Medicine; Pharmacology; Physical Therapy; Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Pulmonology; Radiology; Rehabilitation Medicine; Respiratory Care; Rheumatology; Transport; Click here for additional information.

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