Adolescent endocrinology in Saudi Arabia

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Adolescent Health Services

Background:

• Adolescents in Saudi Arabia lack specialized healthcare services.
• There's a growing recognition of the need for tailored adolescent health programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the initial 5-year experience of an adolescent endocrinology clinic in Saudi Arabia.
• To highlight the establishment and operation of a novel clinic for adolescent healthcare.

Main Methods:

• A multidisciplinary team including a pediatric endocrinologist, nurse educator, clinic nurse, and dietitian managed the clinic.
• The clinic's setup, staffing, and operational methodology were detailed.

Main Results:

• The clinic registered 223 cases over five years.
• Common conditions included short stature (24%), diabetes mellitus (22%), obesity (18%), and thyroid disorders (13%).
• The clinic received positive acceptance from families.

Conclusions:

• Establishing specialized adolescent healthcare services is recommended at all care levels.
• The clinic provided valuable insights into managing adolescent health issues locally.