Endocrinology/Diabetes

Our division is actively involved in the education of both residents and medical students. Pediatric Endocrinology fellows play an integral role in educating trainees while receiving subspecialty training.

Pediatric residents and medical students spend two- to four-week electives in our various clinical settings. You will learn the fundamentals of the evaluation of patients with diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2), short stature, tall stature, early or delayed puberty, disorders of sexual differentiation, thyroid disorders, pituitary disorders and abnormal weight gain. In addition, you will be exposed to endocrine conditions that affect neonates and pediatric patients during acute illnesses.

If you choose this elective during Diabetes Camp, you will have the opportunity to spend either a day or a full week at camps in the WNY region. Residents and medical students will assist campers with diabetes management. As such, they will learn about blood sugar testing, insulin injections, insulin pump adjustments, insulin dose calculations and carbohydrate counting. This is a unique opportunity to learn how children with diabetes deal with everyday challenges including the effects of exercise or rainy days on blood sugars. 

We are involved in basic and clinical research focusing on insulin resistance/signaling and the treatment and prevention of overweight in the clinical setting. We also have several ongoing clinical studies involving patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. We have also been a participant of TrialNet, a federally-funded study for the screening and prevention of Type 1 diabetes. In addition to diabetes, we have participated in numerous trials investigating new drugs to promote growth or halt early puberty.

Opportunities are available for patients interested in participating in research studies led by our physicians with the assistance of experienced research personnel.

• Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (Lucy Mastandrea)
  
• Growth hormone deficiency (Teresa Quattrin; Kathleen Bethin; Lucy Mastandrea)
• Type 1 diabetes (Teresa Quattrin; Kathleen Bethin; Lucy Mastandrea)
  
• Type 2 diabetes (Teresa Quattrin; Kathleen Bethin; Lucy Mastandrea)
  
• Weight management and obesity (Teresa Quattrin; Kathleen Bethin; Lucy Mastandrea)
  

We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of endocrine disorders including short stature, thyroid conditions, precocious and delayed puberty, adrenal disorders, bone diseases and disorders of sexual development. In addition, our Diabetes Center provides care to pediatric and young adults with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

We are involved in many trials that bring the latest methods in management of diabetes and endocrine disorders to patients in Western New York. These include clinical trials investigating the use of novel medications in children, such as long acting growth hormone and agents to treat precocious puberty. We participate in various trials in youth with Type 1 diabetes. Our center has been instrumental in expanding therapeutic options for treating Type 2 diabetes and obesity in the pediatric population.