Adolescent endocrinology in Saudi Arabia.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Abdullah
M A
MA
Department of Pediatrics, Security Forces Hospital, PO Box 3643, Riyadh 11481, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Al-Salhi
H S
HS
Anani
M A
MA
Melendrez
L Q
LQ
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004704:Endocrinology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology