Diabetes
With a referral base of approximately 7 million, the Diabetes Program at Riley Hospital/ IU Health provides care for over 1800 children with diabetes in Indiana and neighboring states.
The Pediatric Diabetes Team includes Indiana University School of Medicine faculty members, clinical fellows, diabetes clinical nurse practitioners, diabetes nurse educators, a nurse practitioner specializing in insulin pump therapy, diabetes research nurses, diabetes research technicians, diabetes clinical nursing technicians, dietitians, and social workers. Each pediatric diabetes team member is committed to providing state-of-the-art clinical care, including the latest therapeutic alternatives.
Children newly diagnosed with diabetes are hospitalized at Riley Hospital for Children or IU Health North Hospital for initial management and an intensive two day program for patient and family education. The team also provides support services to IU Health Methodist and University Hospitals and Wishard Hospital to assist in the management of children with diabetes.
Inpatient Care for Children with Diabetes
Children who have just been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus are cared for at Riley Hospital for Children or IU Health North Hospital. Each child receives a thorough medical evaluation by a multidisciplinary care team, which includes a physician, nurse educator, dietitian and social worker. This team works closely with the family to teach the basic skills they need to manage the disease after they leave the hospital. After the child leaves the hospital, the family's nurse practitioner follows up by phone, and then the family begins their visits to our outpatient diabetes clinic every three to four months.
The Outpatient Diabetes Clinic
Comprehensive outpatient services for children and adolescents with diabetes are also provided. Over 100 Riley diabetes patients are seen each week in our outpatient clinics. We see these children every three to four months for a comprehensive evaluation of their metabolic control. At each visit, the child will be seen by his or her physician, nurse practitioner, and frequently also by a dietitian and social worker. The nurse practitioner follows up with the family between visits as needed to adjust insulin doses or discuss laboratory results. Outpatient clinics are held at the Riley Hospital Outpatient Center in Indianapolis, at IU Health North Medical Offices in Indianapolis, at St. Francis South Campus in Indianapolis, at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Newburgh and at St Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka.
For More Information
For more information please call us at 317.944.3889 or by fax at 317.944.3882.
Endocrinology
Pediatric Endocrinologists
At Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health in Indianapolis, Indiana, pediatric endocrinologists provide comprehensive services for infants, children, and adolescents with diseases or disorders of the endocrine glands, such as thyroid disease or diabetes. In addition to evaluation and treatment, an important part of our Riley Endocrinology at IU Health program is providing extensive educational and support services for our patients and their families.
Our Staff is Led by Physician Specialists
Our Pediatric Endocrinologists are board certified in Pediatrics and have received additional, subspecialty training in Pediatric Endocrinology/Diabetology. Our Riley Endocrinology at IU Health team also includes pediatric nurse specialists, dietitians and a social worker. Less visible to patients, but just as important, our research teams conduct various studies, continually searching for ways to improve the diagnosis and treatment of endocrine and diabetic disorders.
Treating Endocrine-Related Disorders
Our staff is experienced in treating all endocrine problems of infancy, childhood and adolescence. These include growth disorders, Turner syndrome, disorders of sex development, delayed and precocious puberty, congenital and acquired disorders of thyroid function, hypoglycemia, disorders of calcium metabolism, adrenal disorders, diabetes insipidus and anterior pituitary dysfunction. The Endocrine Testing Clinic is a state-of-the-art outpatient facility providing comprehensive evaluation of a broad range of endocrine conditions.
An Individualized Plan for Each Patient
Each child's treatment plan is individualized to the child's and family's unique needs. Depending on the problem, children may be treated either as outpatients or as inpatients in Riley at IU Health. In either case, our team works closely with the child's referring physician and offers specialized educational services to support both patient and family.
Education Supports the Child and the Family
Our Pediatric Endocrine Educational program provides the education families need to successfully deal with an endocrine problem. Many families of children who receive care on an outpatient basis require in-depth, ongoing education so that they can successfully manage their child's care at home. For example, families who give growth hormone injections to a child at home receive all the necessary education, written materials and supplies needed for home care, as well as support from our physicians and nursing staff.
For more information
Most of our patients are referred here by their primary care physician. If you suspect a problem, we suggest you first see your child's pediatrician or family physician.
For more Information about our services or to schedule an appointment, call us at 317.944.3889 or by fax at 317.944.3882.