Week 6 - Endocrine Flashcards
Pediatric Endocrine System
Responsible for sexual development, stimulating growth during childhood / adolescence, & production of sex hormones leading to puberty
Hypopituitarism (GHD)
↓ activity of the pituitary gland leading to deficient growth hormone secretion
↓ pituitary gland activity = ↓ growth hormone secretion
Signs & Symptoms of Hypopituitarism
- Growth at a rate < 5 cm per year
- Falls below 3rd percentile on growth chart
- Seizures
- hyponatremia
- neonatal jaundice
- pale optic discs
- micropenis / undescended testes
Dx: history, hand x-ray for bone ossification, blood & endo testing
Hypopituitarism Treatment
Biosynthetic growth hormone injections
Take at night when normal secretion occurs!!!
- very pricey
- Expect to grow 8-9 cm/yr after tx
Hypopituitarism Nursing
- Identify growth problems
- Record height & weight
- Prepare family for diagnostic tests / daily injections
- Teach back injections
Precocious Puberty
KNOW THIS!!!!
Sexual development before age 9 in boys & 8 in girls; also advanced bone growth making them taller
- can result in stunted growth if growth plates close too soon
Causes: disorders of gonads, adrenals, hypothalamus releases GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone)
* 80-90% of girls = no cause
Tx of precocious puberty
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GnRH agonist like Lupron (breast cancer drug) to slow growth to normal rates
- Tx is discontinued at age for normal pubertal changes to resume
- Failure to treat may result in stunted growth as children with precocious puberty have advanced bone age
Precocious Puberty Nursing
KNOW THIS!!!!
- Promote positive body image - child appropriate terms
- Provide famnily education - emotional support
Hypothyroidism
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↓ active levels of thyroid hormone
- newborn screen for T3/T4 (hypothyroidism can be congenital)
Primary: thyroid problem (↑ TSH, ↓ T4)
Central: hypothalamus problem (normal TSH, ↓ T4)
Nursing: plot growth, education, medication administration, follow up
What is primary hypothyroidism?
KNOW THIS!!!
Thyroid problem
- ↑ TSH
- ↓ T4
What is Central hypothyroidism?
KNOW THIS!!!!
Hypothalamus problem
* normal TSH
* ↓ T4
Nursing for Hypothyroidism
- Plot growth
- Education
- Medication administration
- Follow up
Signs & Symptoms of congenital Hypothyroidism in INFANTS
KNOW THIS!!!!
- Thick tongue
- Hypotonia
- Umbilical hernia
- Hoarse cry
- Constipation
- Large fontanelles
Signs & Symptoms of Hypothyroidism (or acquired thyroid dysfunction) in Children
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- ↓ appetite
- dry, cool skin
- hair thinning
- bradycardia
- constipation
- depressed DTRs
- cold temperature sensitivity
- abnormal menses
- goiter
Hypothyroidism Treatment
KNOW THIS!!!!
Levothyroxine, 15mcg/kg/day
- life-long tx
Type 1 DM
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Insulin dependent; body’s immune system attacks beta cells (which produce insulin) & ↑ glucose levels
Bimodal Peaks: diagnosis around ages 4-6 & 10-14
Tx: insulin, blood glucose monitoring
Type 2 DM
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Insulin resistance; prolonged exposure to elevated glucose levels
- controlled with diet & exercise
- Often obese or comorbid conditions such as PCOS, lipid disorders, & HTN
Signs & Symptoms of Type 1 DM
KNOW THIS!!!!
- Polyuria
- Polydipsia
- Polyphagia
- Glucosuria (glucose in urine)
- glucogenesis (breaking down protein/fat for energy)
- rapid weight loss
- dry skin
- irritability
- drowsiness/fatigue
- abdominal discomfort
- ketoacidosis
Type 1 DM Nursing Management
- Check for ketones if blood glucose > 200 mg/dL
- Check blood glucose frequently
- Education on meals / carb counting
- Maintain growth