PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Mohamed A. Abdullah
AU  - Hamad S. Al-Salhi
AU  - Mona A. Anani
AU  - Liza Q. Melendrez
TI  - Adolescent endocrinology in Saudi Arabia
DP  - 2000 Jan 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 24--30
VI  - 21
IP  - 1
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/21/1/24.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/21/1/24.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2000 Jan 01; 21
AB  - OBJECTIVE: The importance of providing special health care services for adolescents has been recently stressed. In Saudi Arabia, adolescents have no special services. In this study, we describe our first 5 years experience of an adolescent endocrinology clinic in Security Forces Hospital. We believe it is the first clinic with this objective in the Kingdom.METHODS: An adolescent endocrinology clinic was run by a team composed of pediatric endocrinologist, diabetic nurse educator, clinic nurse and a dietician in collaboration with other supportive staff and consultants from other disciplines. The methodology of setting up, staffing and running the clinic is described.RESULTS: About 223 cases were registered over 5 years. The most common problems were short stature 53 (24%), diabetes mellitus 49 (22%), obesity 40 (18%), thyroid disorders 28 (13%), delayed puberty 20 (9%) and rickets (8%). The clinic was well accepted by parents and their families. We learned a lot on how to handle these problems locally.CONCLUSION: Based on our experience, we recommend establishing special health care services for adolescents both at the primary care, as well as secondary and tertiary care levels.