Pediatric Endocrinology
SOME FACTS FOR ENDOCRONOLOGY & METABOLISM AT THE MONTREAL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Over 5600 patients are seen in clinic each year. In-patient consultations and admissions take place on the general pediatric wards and amount to about 300 patients per year. Pediatric endocrine problems are also seen in the Clinical Investigation Unit, where close to 450 patient visits take place annually.
Montreal Children’s Hospital
General Description and Objectives
The purpose of the rotation – which lasts 4 to 6 weeks depending on the trainee’s choice – is to equip the trainee to diagnose and manage problems of an endocrinologic nature in childhood and adolescence. It is organized and conducted to assure a proper environment for the care of the child and for the development of appropriate attitudes on the part of the resident.
The rotation is designed and organized to provide progressive educational experience and responsibilities in the elements of Pediatric Endocrinology and related disorders. The fundamentals of clinical diagnosis with special emphasis on the acquisition of a careful medical history and performance of a thorough physical examination are stressed. The trainee is exposed to the proper use of laboratory techniques including measurement of hormones with particular emphasis on steroid analysis and radioimmunoassay. The trainee is made familiar with the diagnostic procedures in endocrinology employing radiology and nuclear medicine, and will be exposed to the diagnosis and management of congenital and acquired disorders of the endocrine and metabolic systems. He/she will become experienced in the evaluation of variations of normal growth and development. The trainee will also learn the pertinent aspects of genetics.
Outpatient visits occur in the Endocrine Subspecialty Outpatient Clinics, the Diabetic Clinic, and the Clinical Investigation Unit (4 6 beds, for children admitted for specialized testing). Inpatient consultations and admissions take place on the general pediatric wards.
The Pediatric Endocrinology Division follows over 400 children with types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus. Its newly opened Pediatric Insulin Pump Centre, the first in Quebec, provides in-depth training opportunities. The trainee can gain additional first hand experience managing these patients while attending the Carowanis summer camp for children with diabetes.
The rotation also includes available instruction in related basic sciences:
- endocrine physiology and biochemistry, particularly hormone chemistry
- embryology of the endocrine and related systems with emphasis on differentiation
- genetics including laboratory methods in cytogenetics
- aspects of immunology related to understanding endocrine disease