About the Department of Pediatric Endocrinology at Rambam Health Care Campus Haifa
The Department of Pediatric Endocrinology at the Rambam Health Care Campus Haifa offers the full range of diagnostic and therapeutic services for young patients with hormonal diseases, including growth retardation and puberty disorders, obesity and endocrine cancers. In addition, the department provides treatment of rare genetic disease, such as Turner syndrome. The department employs true professionals, who not only provide top-class medical care, but also surround children with attention and care. The department is headed by Prof. Dr. med. Dov Tiosano.
Endocrine diseases in children require a special approach to treatment, since the development of endocrine glands in children proceeds quite rapidly. It is very important to detect the disease as early as possible in order to successfully correct functions of the endocrine glands and increase the chances for the successful treatment outcome.
One of the department’s priority focuses is the treatment of endocrine neoplasms. As a rule, the majority of endocrine tumors in children are benign, and only a small percentage of tumors, which mostly occur in the reproductive glands, thyroid gland or adrenal cortex, are malignant. The primary test is blood sampling for the assessment of hormone levels. Further, the department's specialists carry out ultrasound scanning, magnetic resonance imaging, radioisotope bone scanning and radiography for the detection of metastases, a biopsy for the accurate determination of the tumor nature. In addition, they carry out lymphography and angiography for the detection of lymph node metastases. The department's therapeutic options include tumor resection, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Most operations are performed using minimally invasive techniques. If necessary, hormone replacement therapy can be provided after surgery.
In addition, the department's medical team has successful experience in the treatment of young patients with diabetes mellitus. The highly professional endocrinologists carry out a comprehensive examination of the child, after which they develop an individual treatment regimen in three directions. Insulin replacement therapy maximally simulates the natural rhythm of insulin secretion by combining short and long-acting insulin injections. Another option is the application of insulin pump, which releases ultra-short-acting insulin. The modern pumps are equipped with a mechanism for monitoring blood sugar levels. They provide a very accurate dosing and reduce the frequency of skin punctures by 10-15 times. Also, an important component of the therapeutic process is the development of a diet and lifestyle modification (selection of physical activities, training of parents the necessary skills).
The department's competence also includes the treatment of primary and secondary obesity. The doctors carry out the comprehensive diagnostics in order to determine the causes and concomitant diseases. They determine a body mass index and the body fat distribution, measure blood pressure, blood sugar levels and prescribe a biochemical blood test. The hormonal balance testing also serves to detect disorders of the thyroid gland, pancreas, thymus gland, as well as the adrenal glands. The contrast-enhanced pituitary MRI, EEG, thyroid ultrasound are among the required examinations. The weight loss program necessarily includes the psychological support of the child and his parents for the elimination of the psychological problems, which cause overeating. The doctors develop an individual set of physical exercises and massage, as well as recommendations on lifestyle modification. The ineffective diets will be substituted by a radical revision of the nutrition system. The doctors resort to drug therapy only at the third stage of obesity.
The department's clinical focuses include:
- Diagnostics and treatment of endocrine tumors
- Diagnostics and treatment of diabetes mellitus
- Diagnostics and treatment of Turner syndrome in children
- Diagnostics and treatment of growth disorders
- Diagnostics and treatment of puberty disorders
- Diagnostics and treatment of other endocrine diseases in children
Photo of the doctor: (c) Rambam Health Care Campus Haifa