Paediatric endocrinology for General Physicians
How pediatric endocrinology is tested
Written for DHA, SMLE, DOH, QCHP, OMSB, MOH, NHRA and Kuwait MOH — the same GP licensing mix, not a pediatric endocrinology specialist paper.
Paediatric endocrine is DKA fluids in a child, newborn TSH, salt-losing CAH and when a big kid is just obese vs Cushing.
Paediatric DKA has cerebral-oedema caution: slower fluids than adults in many protocols. Congenital hypothyroidism is a screened disease you still must not miss if the result is pending.
CAH is the shocky neonate with ambiguous genitalia or a salt-losing crisis. Type 1 vs type 2 in adolescents is antibodies and ketones, not BMI alone.
Why is paediatric DKA fluid different?
Cerebral oedema risk. Follow a paediatric protocol, watch for headache and drop in consciousness, and do not drop glucose through the floor.
Newborn TSH high — next step?
Confirm and start levothyroxine without waiting for a “full workup” that delays brain protection.
CAH crisis — immediate treatment?
Saline and hydrocortisone. Do not wait for a 17-OHP result in a shocked neonate with the classic story.
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