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PAEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY AND DIABETES
Exceptional support for complex childhood conditions
- The UK’s only private hospital dedicated to treating women and children
- Appointments in as little as 24 hours
- Rapid diagnosis, including same-day blood tests
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PAEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
The Portland is the UK’s only private hospital dedicated to the care of young people. Your child will be looked after by a dedicated, highly specialised team including paediatric endocrinologists, dietitians, clinical nurse specialists, nephrologists, cardiologists and play specialists.
In addition, our state-of-the-art diagnostic and screening services allow us to assess your child’s needs and make sure they get the treatment they need as soon as possible, whether it’s for growth and developmental issues such as thyroid disease, pituitary disorders, childhood obesity, or diabetes.
In addition, our state-of-the-art diagnostic and screening services allow us to assess your child’s needs and make sure they get the treatment they need as soon as possible, whether it’s for growth and developmental issues such as thyroid disease, pituitary disorders, childhood obesity, or diabetes.
Endocrinology is a medical speciality focused on conditions caused by hormonal imbalances. At HCA UK we care for children with a whole range of endocrine disorders including diabetes. This common condition is caused by problems with the levels of insulin – a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels – produced in your child’s pancreas.
We diagnose diabetes by testing whether your child has raised blood sugar either in a random blood sample, or after a short period of fasting. We can also test their urine to see if it’s positive for glucose, and get them onto the right treatment pathway as soon as possible.
Some common symptoms of diabetes in children include:
- Urinating more often than usual
- Being very thirsty
- Tiredness or lack of energy
- Weight loss
- Blurred vision
- Tummy pain, feeling sick
If you're concerned your child might have diabetes, it's important to seek prompt medical advice.
If we diagnose diabetes in your child, they’ll need regular check-ups with our team. These appointments at our clinic usually take place every three months or so.
Our consultants can help your child manage and treat their diabetes, with the support of you and your whole family. Most children have type 1 diabetes, which is caused by a lack of insulin. Our team will show you how to manage the condition with insulin injections or an insulin pump and offer plenty of advice based on their wealth of experience treating other young people living with diabetes.
If your child has type 2 diabetes, where insulin isn’t regulating their blood sugar levels properly, we can help with lifestyle, diet and exercise advice they may need, including support from specialist dieticians. Your child’s consultant may also advise that they start on oral medication to help manage their condition.
If your child has type 2 diabetes, where insulin isn’t regulating their blood sugar levels properly, we can help with lifestyle, diet and exercise advice they may need, including support from specialist dieticians. Your child’s consultant may also advise that they start on oral medication to help manage their condition.
If your child has a thyroid condition such as a lump in their thyroid gland, their consultant will discuss their symptoms and may recommend they undergo diagnostic tests such as a CT or ultrasound scans, blood tests or a biopsy of the lump.
Once we have a clear picture, our consultants will advise you on treatment options. These could include surgery, hormone therapy and radiotherapy or chemotherapy if the lump is malignant.
Once we have a clear picture, our consultants will advise you on treatment options. These could include surgery, hormone therapy and radiotherapy or chemotherapy if the lump is malignant.
Fast access to specialists
Appointments confirmed within 24 hours
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours
Putting your child's needs first
Our complete breadth of expertise focused on your child
PAEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY SERVICES
Expert advice and care for you and your child
Your child's health challenges may be straightforward to address, or they may need a more detailed examination and treatment. Either way, their wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do here at HCA UK. We offer highly personalised care from skilled paediatric endocrinology specialists working as part of skilled teams, focussed on delivering the best possible outcomes for your child.
From diagnosis, through to treatment and onward care, we can help with a wide range of conditions, including:
From diagnosis, through to treatment and onward care, we can help with a wide range of conditions, including:
Diabetes
From complex medical conditions to diagnostics tests, scans and procedures, we provide exceptional care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
Thyroid conditions
Lumps in the thyroid gland. HCA UK's experts can help to diagnose and treat a range of lumps, including thyroid lumps.
Growth and puberty disorders
At HCA UK, we diagnose and treat a wide range of growth and puberty disorders, from delayed or early puberty to concerns about your child’s height or development. With advanced diagnostic tools and personalised treatment plans, we can support healthy growth and development at every stage.
Childhood obesity
We provide specialist support for children and young people struggling with obesity, offering tailored assessments, nutritional guidance and, if needed, medical care. Your dedicated multidisciplinary team will work closely with you to manage any health risks and build sustainable lifestyle changes.
Pituitary gland disorders
Pituitary gland disorders can affect your child's growth, development, and hormone balance. At HCA UK, our specialist paediatric teams provide expert diagnosis, personalised treatment plans and compassionate support to help your child thrive.
MEET THE TEAM
Meet Nina, one of our brilliant specialists
A healthy diet plays a vital role in managing diabetes and other endocrine conditions. Our multi-disciplinary approach means that everyone in our paediatric dietetics team is here to help, making sure that your child feels comfortable asking questions about what they should eat and understanding why it matters.
Join our young reporter, Maya-Lee as she quizzes Nina Brierley, one of our Paediatric Dietitians at The Portland Hospital, to find out what she does and why she cares so much about what children eat.
Join our young reporter, Maya-Lee as she quizzes Nina Brierley, one of our Paediatric Dietitians at The Portland Hospital, to find out what she does and why she cares so much about what children eat.
Locations
Where can my child have treatment?
If your child needs treatment for diabetes or any other endocrine disorder, we’re here for them – and you – at the world-famous Portland Hospital in London, the UK’s only private hospital dedicated to the treatment of women and children.
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance for your child to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote from the start, outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
FAQs
Paediatric endocrinology is a medical specialty that focuses on hormone-related conditions in babies, children, and teenagers. It covers issues including growth disorders, early or delayed puberty, thyroid problems, diabetes, and other hormone imbalances that can affect your child’s development, metabolism, and overall health.
Paediatric endocrinologists specialise in diagnosing and managing a wide range of hormone-related conditions. These include concerns relating to height, childhood obesity, thyroid disorders, and early or delayed puberty, as well as other issues linked to growth, development, and metabolism.
Hormonal conditions in children can show up in a number of ways, some of them subtle, such as unusual growth patterns, weight changes, or signs of early or delayed puberty. If you’re concerned about your child’s development, you can book an appointment with one of our expert paediatric endocrinologists for a thorough assessment.
Most endocrine conditions can be investigated using simple blood tests and X-rays.
In some cases, we might recommend an ultrasound scan and, for more complex conditions, your child might need a dynamic hormone test. This involves a short day-case hospital visit, during which we’ll administer a synthetic hormone through a cannula (usually in the hand). We’ll then carry out some timed blood tests to see how your child responds.
Rest assured, if your child does need to have this test, we’ll explain everything to you beforehand and answer any questions you may have.
In some cases, we might recommend an ultrasound scan and, for more complex conditions, your child might need a dynamic hormone test. This involves a short day-case hospital visit, during which we’ll administer a synthetic hormone through a cannula (usually in the hand). We’ll then carry out some timed blood tests to see how your child responds.
Rest assured, if your child does need to have this test, we’ll explain everything to you beforehand and answer any questions you may have.
Spotting endocrine issues early gives your child the best chance of growing and developing normally.
Hormonal imbalances can affect everything from height and weight to puberty and energy levels, but with early diagnosis, many of these conditions can be managed effectively or even reversed. At HCA UK, our expert paediatric endocrinologists use advanced diagnostic tools to catch problems early and create a personalised care plan tailored to your child’s unique needs.
Hormonal imbalances can affect everything from height and weight to puberty and energy levels, but with early diagnosis, many of these conditions can be managed effectively or even reversed. At HCA UK, our expert paediatric endocrinologists use advanced diagnostic tools to catch problems early and create a personalised care plan tailored to your child’s unique needs.
There are three thyroid disorders we commonly see in children:
- Congenital hypothyroidism is a rare thyroid disease affecting 1 in every 2,000-3,000 newborns in the UK. It’s usually picked up on the heel prick screening carried out on day 5 of your baby’s life. Most often, babies born with an absent or abnormally situated thyroid gland will present with the condition. More rarely a normally situated thyroid gland will be producing insufficient amounts of thyroxine from birth.
- Acquired hypothyroidism is usually autoimmune in nature. Your child may feel overly tired or cold and have dry skin and constipation – all tell-tale signs that need checking out. If you have a family history of thyroid disease or an existing autoimmune condition, your child is more likely to develop it. Treatment is usually with a thyroxine replacement which requires monitoring with blood tests to make sure that the dose is appropriate.
- Hyperthyroidism, often known as Graves’ disease, is also commonly caused by autoimmunity. If your child has hyperthyroidism, they will likely experience anxiety and palpitations, as well as weight loss and diarrhoea. They may exhibit behavioural changes, and their schoolwork may deteriorate. Antithyroid medication is the main treatment, except in rare cases which may require surgery due to significant gland swelling or poor medication response.
Yes, you can. If your child has diabetes, our multi-disciplinary teams are here to offer all the support you and your family may need, including specialist nutritional and blood sugar management advice from our team of highly specialised registered dietitians (RDs).
Registered dietitians are the UK’s only nutrition professionals regulated by law, so they’re uniquely qualified to advise on your child’s dietary and nutritional needs relating to diabetes. They’re here to help you understand the science behind great nutrition and make the right dietary decisions for you and your family.
Practical, personalised guidance is here for you.
Registered dietitians are the UK’s only nutrition professionals regulated by law, so they’re uniquely qualified to advise on your child’s dietary and nutritional needs relating to diabetes. They’re here to help you understand the science behind great nutrition and make the right dietary decisions for you and your family.
Practical, personalised guidance is here for you.
“There were some great moments: the hospital was great, and the staff were incredible – so unbelievably kind.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.