Children and young people referred to paediatric endocrinology services present with a wide range of illnesses and disorders varying from minor to life-threatening conditions. This article introduces the role of the children’s endocrine nurse in caring for children and families undergoing investigations that are frequently undertaken to identify specific problems associated with pituitary, adrenal and thyroid glands. Although children with endocrine problems may be cared for in specialist centres, they may also present, for other health reasons, in secondary and primary care. In schools some children may need teachers to administer emergency medication. There is a high incidence of children diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency and an even higher incidence of congenital hypothyroidism. These children would benefit from health professionals having a broader understanding of their conditions. This article – the third in the endocrinology nursing series – aims to disseminate information and educate colleagues in children’s nursing to raise the profile of children with long-term endocrine conditions.
Nursing Children and Young People. 27, 8, 26-37. doi: 10.7748/ncyp.27.8.26.s24
CorrespondenceJacqueline.collin@kcl.ac.uk Kate.davies@lsbu.ac.uk
Peer reviewThis article has been subject to open peer review and has been checked using antiplagiarism software
Conflict of interestNone declared
Received: 25 February 2015
Accepted: 05 June 2015
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