Endocrine Problems in Children

Question 1

What needs to be excluded in a child with ambiguous genitalia?

Answer 1

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Question 2

What can cause hypothyroidism in children?

Answer 2

Dyshormonogenesis

Athyreosis/ectopic/hypoplastic

Question 3

What is the most common cause of acquired hypothyroidism in children?

Answer 3

Autoimmune (Hashimoto’s)

Question 4

What issues may be present in a child with hypothyroidism? (3)

Answer 4

Lack of height gain
Pubertal delay or precocity
Poor school performance

Question 5

What defines an overweight/obese child?

Answer 5

Overweight = BMI at or above the 85th centile
Obese = BMI at or above the 95th centile
Both for teens/childen of the same age and sex

Question 6

What is the most common cause of obesity in children?

Answer 6

Simple obesity (increased calorie intake and decreased physical activity)

Question 7

What may indicate a hypothalamic cause of obesity in chidlren?

Answer 7

Loss of appetite control

Question 8

What may indicate obesity associated with a syndrome in children?

Answer 8

Learning difficulties

Question 9

What may indicate endocrine causes of obesity in children?

Answer 9

Growth failure

Question 10

What drugs may cause weight gain in children? (4)

Answer 10

Insulin
Steroids
Anti-thyroid drugs
Sodium valproate

Question 11

What are some of the symptoms of diabetes in childen? (9)

Answer 11

Bed wetting (toileting more)
Weight loss
Thirsty 
Tired 
Blurred vision
Candidiasis 
Constipation
Recurring skin infection
Irritability/behaviour change

Question 12

What are the symptoms of DKA in children? (6)

Answer 12

Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain
Sweet smelling ketotic breath 
Drowsiness
Rapid deep sighing respiration
Coma