Pediatric Endocrine Program and Diabetes Center

Overview

Every patient of the Pediatric Endocrine Unit has a personal endocrinologist. We work collaboratively with primary care physicians, other specialty caregivers, and—most importantly—patients and their families to deliver the highest quality of care.

Our physicians specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of all endocrine-related conditions of infants, children and adolescents, including:

• Pediatric diabetes and other disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, including hypoglycemia: We provide multidisciplinary comprehensive care to children and adolescents with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus other disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, including hypoglycemia, obesity and the metabolic syndrome. The Pediatric Diabetes Center offers an individualized approach to each child with diabetes and to the family.
• Disorders of calcium and bone metabolism: Our staff is nationally and internationally known for expertise in the field of calcium, vitamin D and bone metabolism. We provide state-of-the-art interpretation of bone density tests in children and teenagers, and a comprehensive discussion of strategies to improve bone density in a variety of conditions, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and genetic disorders such as osteogenesis imperfecta. We work closely with our colleagues in Pediatric Nephrology to provide expertise in rare disorders of calcium and phosphate metabolism in our Bone and Mineral Metabolism Disorders Clinic.
• Disorders of the pituitary/neuroendocrine disorders: The Pediatric Neuroendocrine Service works closely with neurosurgery, neuroradiology and radiation oncology to assure up-to-date diagnostic studies and treatment for children with craniopharyngiomas, Rathke Cleft cysts, and various pituitary tumors. We also manage conditions of pituitary hormone excess (such as hyperprolactinemia, Cushing’s disease, gigantism and acromegaly), pituitary hormone deficiency (such as growth hormone deficiency, central hypothyroidism, central hypoadrenalism, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and diabetes insipidus), and disorders of growth and puberty related to pituitary disorders. The Radiation Oncology group at Massachusetts General Hospital offers proton beam therapy for patients with pituitary and other intracranial tumors requiring radiation therapy
• Disorders of growth: John Crawford, MD, Chief of the Pediatric Endocrine Division from 1963 to 1990, was among the first physicians in the world to treat children with growth failure with human growth hormone. The Pediatric Endocrine Division remains dedicated to offering patients with growth disorders state-of-the-art evaluation and therapy. This includes opportunities for selected patients to participate in clinical trials. We work closely with the Genetics program for management of girls with Turner syndrome.
• Disorders of puberty and the reproductive system: We have particular expertise in caring for children with reproductive endocrine disorders and work closely with the adult Reproductive Endocrine Unit for genetic testing of children with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The Pediatric Reproductive Endocrine Service provides support for children and adolescents with disorders of puberty including precocious and delayed puberty, hirsutism and polycystic ovarian disease. Historically, this service was one of the first to offer effective treatment to children with sexual precocity.
• Thyroid disorders: Our doctors specialize in the evaluation, diagnosis and long-term care of patients affected by a range of thyroid disorders including congenital and acquire hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer. We partner with our very skilled pediatric thyroid surgeons for treatment of children with thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer.
• Adrenal disorders: We specialize in the treatment of children affected by various adrenal disorders including congenital adrenal hyperplasia, adrenal insufficiency, adrenoleukodystrophy, hypercortisolemia, and hypocortisolemia. For adrenoleukodystrophy, we work closely with colleagues in Pediatric Neurology.
• Differences of sexual development: We provide medical, psychological and surgical support in an empathic and comprehensive manner for children born with incomplete genital or sexual development, chromosomal conditions affecting sexual development, and adrenal disorders leading to genital abnormalities.
• Genetic disorders: We are part of multidisciplinary groups providing comprehensive care for patients with Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome and Williams syndrome, and serve as consultants for patients with Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome and many other genetic conditions with endocrine implications.
• Gender dysphoria: Our endocrinologists are key members of a multidisciplinary team providing comprehensive and gender affirming care across the lifespan to all individuals.
• Disorders of salt and water metabolism: We have expertise in the management of various disorders of salt and water metabolism including diabetes insipidus and the syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion (SIADH). 
• Obesity and the metabolic syndrome We are part of a multidisciplinary team providing comprehensive care to youth with obesity with or without the metabolic syndrome. Our endocrinologists work closely with the Weight Center at MGH, which provides behavioral, nutritional, medical and surgical therapy to patients. Our Obesity Pharmacotherapeutics Clinic provides state-of-the-art medical management of youth with obesity.

Meet the Team

Fellows

Nurses and Nurse Practitioners

Nutritionists

Psychologists

Social Worker

Diabetes Coordinator

• Nicole Mizzoni

Medical Assistants

• Gloria Giraldo
• Adriana Velez

Growth Clinic Coordinator

• Stephanie Anastal Descollines

Patient Service Coordinators

• Paris Karniadakis
• Nikisha Oquendo
• Edgar Torres

Administrative Staff

• Clifford Abellard, Administrative Manager
• Jennifer Bean, Administrative Coordinator
• Christen Burns, Administrative Director
• Bethanie Calvanese, Pediatric Fellowship Manager
• Nancy Radford, Fellowship Coordinator

Researchers

Jacqueline Maya, MD

Ishita Jindal, MD

A. Kemal Topaloglu, MD

Swathi Sethuram, MD

Rachel Whooten, MD

Janaki Vakharia, MD

Patient Resources

View the full collection of patient education resources from the Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Center at MGfC.

Education

Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship
The Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship Program at Mass General for Children spans three years of training and prepares our fellows for careers as leaders in academic medicine and also clinical practice.

Research

Pediatric Endocrine-Neuroendocrine-Sports Endocrine Research
Research within the Pediatric Endocrine-Neuroendocrine-Sports Endocrine Lab aims to further medical knowledge about common endocrine issues in athletes and girls with low-weight eating disorders. In particular, we focus our efforts on establishing findings that lead to the adaptation and improvement of medical care for female athletes and young girls and women with eating disorders.

Pediatric Research in the Metabolism Unit

The Metabolism Unit, housed in the MGH Endocrine Division, investigates broad themes of adiposity, metabolism, inflammation, ectopic fat deposition, and cardiovascular disease.  The Unit includes both adult and pediatric research, with a cross-disciplinary approach aimed at tackling underlying themes in obesity and metabolism. 

Areas of Focus

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD, is a common occurrence in individuals living with obesity and/or Type 2 diabetes, and it can also occur in lean individuals.  NAFLD encompasses a spectrum from “simple steatosis” – having fat deposition in the liver cells without other changes – to “nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH),” in which fat deposition is accompanied by inflammation, cellular damage, and/or scarring.  NASH can lead to substantial liver damage and dysfunction, such that research into strategies for addressing NASH and NAFLD is greatly needed.  We have previously demonstrated that administration of a growth hormone releasing hormone analog reduces liver fat and decreases the rate of progression to fibrosis in individuals with HIV.  Current efforts including investigating the efficacy of growth hormone to reduce liver fat in young adults and the efficacy of growth hormone releasing hormone to ameliorate liver disease in adults with obesity and NAFLD.

Pediatric Obesity

Previous work in the Metabolism Unit has included characterization of mitochondrial function in children living with obesity, as well as work performed in adults to demonstrate various contributors to obesity including mitochondrial dysfunction and systemic inflammation. Current pediatric work in the unit aims to determine the efficacy of following guidelines for obesity treatment in the pediatric primary care setting as well as characterizing possible effects of in utero exposure to HIV on later-life metabolic and immune function. 

Clinical Studies

Bone study in overweight teenagers and young adults

Seeking overweight girls and boys 13-25 years old

Our Mission: To understand the effect of weight loss surgery versus no surgery (usual care) on bone density and strength and body composition.

6 total visits over 26 months (and an optional visit), including:

• DXA, CT, and MRI scans
• Physical assessments
• Hormone evaluation
• Up to $2100 stipend

If interested, call Amita Bose at 617-643-0266 or email ANEresearch@partners.org.

Seeking children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes for a research study of bone density

We are interested in the effect of type 1 diabetes on bone density. We are looking for children and young adults ages 6-20 years with type 1 diabetes who are otherwise healthy in order to learn how their bone density changes over time.

Participation includes:

• 3 visits to Massachusetts General Hospital over 2 years
• Blood tests and bone density scans (x-rays)
• Compensation of up to $300

If interested, contact:

Kate Kilroe
Pediatric Endocrine Unit
Massachusetts General Hospital
617-724-3255
healthybones@partners.org
or visit our website.

Healthy children and adolescents wanted for a research study of bone density

We are interested in the effect of type 1 diabetes on bone density. We are looking for healthy children and young adults ages 6-20 years without diabetes in order to compare them to people with diabetes.

Participation includes:

• 3 visits to Massachusetts General Hospital over 2 years
• Blood tests and bone density scans (x-rays)
• Compensation of up to $300

If interested, contact Kate Kilroe
Pediatric Endocrine Unit
Massachusetts General Hospital
617-724-3255
healthybones@partners.org
or visit our website.

The Role of Estrogen in the Neurobiology of Eating Disorders

Requirements for participation

Low-Weight or Athletic young women 16-26 years of age not getting their periods 

Study Details

• Nutritional and hormonal evaluations, and imaging studies of the brain
• Short medical history and questionnaires
• 4 study visits over the course of 16 weeks

Payment for participation up to $500 and parking/ transportation expenses offered

Visit our website: www.ANEresearch.com

Values, Vision, and Mission

Values

The Mass General for Children Pediatric Endocrine Unit’s values are seated in the respect we show each other, our patients and their families. Through kindness and dedication and with the highest integrity we strive to provide the most equitable, patient-centric, holistic, and state-of-the-art care for children, families, and our community.

Vision

The vision of the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology is to:

• Provide the highest quality of compassionate, comprehensive, coordinated, and value-based health care
• Train exemplary clinicians, researchers, educators and leaders
• Advance knowledge through cutting-edge and innovative research
• Collaborate with our community to advocate for patients and families and to ensure that our care meets our community’s needs

Mission

The mission of the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology is to:

• To provide individualized, family-centered, team-oriented endocrine care for our patients and their families
• To continue our unit’s tradition of developing clinical and scientific leaders in pediatric endocrinology
• To advance research into innovative technologies and personalized care and to bring these advancements to our patients and their families