Growth problems may affect your child's health. A pediatric endocrinologist not
only is an expert in the best ways to treat your child's growth problems, but is
also trained in working with children. Your pediatric endocrinologist will work
closely with your child's primary care doctor to coordinate your child's diagnosis
and care.
When you bring your child to see a pediatric endocrinologist, he or she may do the
following:
- Review your child's growth history based on his or her growth over time, and/or
based on growth charts from you and your child's doctor.
- Conduct a full physical exam that includes careful measuring of your child's height.
- Order blood tests to check your child's levels of growth hormone and other hormones
that contribute to healthy growth.
- Order x-rays to see how your child's bones are growing and maturing.
- Plan further testing, as needed.
If your child is diagnosed with a growth problem, the diagnosis will be based on
a number of factors. A pediatric endocrinologist will base his or her findings on:
- Your child's current height and history of growth
- Your child's birth length
- X-rays that show bone development
- Blood tests to check levels of growth hormone
- Other tests which may be right for your child
To make the most out of your visit, you should come prepared.