Abstract
We report on a survey carried out in 65 pediatric and adult endocrinological centers concerning: 1) the modalities of the transfer of children with chronic endocrine diseases from pediatricians to adult endocrinologists, 2) opinions and suggestions from physicians of the Centers, and 3) specific details regarding GH deficiency. The main results are: 1) The mean age of transfer is around 18 yr of age. 2) The reasons for the transfer are personal convincement of pediatricians in 47%, administrative reasons in 37% and patient’s desire in 16% of cases 3) In the majority of cases a discharge summary is sent by the pediatrician to the endocrinologist often followed by a phone call, whereas 30% of endocrinologists do not send a report back to pediatricians. 4) Less than half of the Centers are satisfied with the modalities of the transfer and the remainder complain about the lack of communication, no common guidelines, and differences in the management of patients. However, all are willing to try to improve this important time for adolescents with chronic diseases. 5) As far as GH deficiency is concerned, the main differences between pediatric and adult endocrinological centers are the different tests used to re-evaluate the diagnosis and the higher doses of GH used by pediatricians to treat young adults. In conclusion, considering the interest and desire of physicians, a structural intervention of the scientific societies to help to overcome problems is highly desirable.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chrousos G., Ghizzoni L, New M.L. (Eds.), Endocrine diseases from childhood to adulthood. J. Endocrinol. Invest. 2001, 24: 648–736.
Allen D.B. Issues in the transition from childhood to adult growth hormone therapy. Pediatrics 1999, 104: 1004–1009.
Scal P., Evans T., Blozis S., Okinow N. Blum R. Trends in transition from pediatric to adult health care services for young adults with chronic conditions. J. Adolesc. Health 1999, 24: 259–264.
Blum R.W.M., Garell D., Hodgman C.H. et al. Transition from child-centered to adult health-care systems for ado-escents with chronic conditions. A position paper of the Society for adolescent medicine. J. Adolesc. Health 1993, 14: 570–576.
Consensus Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of adults with Growth Hormone Deficiency: Summary Statement of the Growth Hormone Research Society Workshop on Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 1998, 83: 379-381.
Stahnke N. Growth Hormone Deficiency: Growth Hormone Therapy in the Transition from Childhood to Adult Life. In: Ranke M. (Ed), Growth hormone over the human life span. Johann Ambrosius Barth Edition J&J, 1998, p. 45.
Crosnier H., Tubiana-Rufi N. Modalités du passage des adolescents diabétiques de la pédiatrie aux structures pour adultes dans la région Paris-Île-de-France: un appel au travail collaboratif pour améliorer la qualité des soins. Arch. Pediatr. 1998, 5: 1327–1333.
Center for children with chronic illness and disability of the University of Minnesota and national center for youth with disabilities (Eds.), Moving on: Transition from pediatric to adult health care. J. Adolesc. Health 1995, 17: 1–36.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Volta, C., Luppino, T., Street, M.E. et al. Transition from pediatric to adult care of children with chronic endocrine diseases: A survey on the current modalities in Italy. J Endocrinol Invest 26, 157–162 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03345145
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03345145