At University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview, we treat patients who have diagnoses encompassing all aspects of endocrinology, including those with concerns about growth, puberty and reproductive function, hypopituitarism, thyroid dysfunction, adrenal problems, calcium and bone disorders and fluid and electrolyte disturbances. Each year, more than 1,300 patients visit our general Endocrinology Clinic.
Hundreds of children and adolescents receive care through our Pediatric Diabetes Program. The physicians, nurses, dietitians and psychologists who form the diabetes team strive to create an environment of collaboration between patients, families and health care professionals. We provide medical instruction on diabetes, problem-solving skills and self-management, to promote a balanced, flexible, healthy style of living with diabetes. Whenever possible, we avoid hospitalization. We have a vigorous research program and are the upper Midwest regional center for Trialnet studies of diabetes prevention.
We also offer specialty care through the Center for Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and Gonadal Development Disorders, the Cystic Fibrosis and Diabetes Clinic, and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Clinic.
Genetic and psychological counseling through the CAH center
Advisory role to the Minnesota Department of Health Newborn Screening Program
Research Activities
Our team of researchers is actively involved in many projects designed to improve the health and well-being of children with endocrine disorders. Some examples of current research studies include those that aim to:
define the prevalence of diabetes eye, kidney and nerve disease in patients with cystic fibrosis related diabetes, and to explore whether the presence of these complications is related to diabetes or CF factors
improve the detection and management of cystic-fibrosis-related diabetes
determine whether treatment with insulin or an oral diabetes medication will improve body mass index and lung function in cystic fibrosis patients who have diabetes (without fasting hyperglycemia)
assess the development of the metabolic syndrome from its earliest origins in youth
identify and test agents that may cure or prevent progression of type 1 diabetes
improve the success of islet transplantation for type 1 diabetes
improve our understanding of poor growth in children who have normal growth hormone secretion
improve the final adult height of children with CAH, idiopathic short stature, and premature adrenarche by controlling estrogen synthesis
improve the monitoring of steroid levels in patients with CAH
determine whether controlling estrogen will increase sperm production in male patients with CAH
evaluate the effect that intra-uterine stress has on the neuroendocrine system and on cognitive development in small for gestational age babies
evaluate new treatments for short stature
characterize growth following international adoption to help understand how the stress of institutional care affects growth
study how growth-related hormones are involved in brain cancer and how these effects can be blocked as a potential treatment
understand the endocrine effects of bone marrow transplantation and cancer treatment
understand the changes in bone mineralization and metabolism after bone marrow transplantation
Researchers are also involved in TrialNet, a nationwide study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, to help prevent type 1 diabetes and halt the progression of the disease in newly diagnosed patients.
Growth hormone registries are regularly updated to improve the safety and success of treating children with short stature and growth hormone deficiency
More information about these studies is provided on the Pediatric Endocrinology website (click on Research or Clinical Studies) or by calling 612-624-5409.
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