Endocrinology Clinic
Our Endocrinology clinic attends to all endocrine disorders
Our experienced doctors are there to help diagnose and treat any endocrine disorder on your child
Endocrinology Clinic
At Gertrude’s Children Hospital we care for children and teenagers up to 21 years with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. We also treat various endocrine disorders. These are disorders related to various hormones in the body and may include abnormal or delayed puberty, thyroid diseases, pituitary diseases and various growth hormone disorders.
Common disorders may include diabetes, obesity, etc.
We are proud to have:-
- Paediatric endocrinologists on board
- Laboratory services that test various hormone levels
- A pharmacy that is well stocked for any hormonal/ non-hormonal treatments that may be required
- Nutritionists that will take you through the dietary measures required with Diabetes
- Various professionals in the team to assist the child, teen, family and caregivers understand, manage and come to terms with any chronic diagnosis. Education is power and we are keen on giving our patients and families this power. You will be taught how to regularly check your blood glucose, use insulin if prescribed, plan your meals among many other details
These are defined using a formulae known as the Body mass index (BMI). It uses height and weight measurements to estimate a person’s body fat. Calculating BMI on your own can be complicated. An easier way is to use a BMI calculator.
On a standard BMI chart, kids ages 2 to 19 fall into one of four categories:
underweight: BMI below the 5th percentile
normal weight: BMI at the 5th and less than the 85th percentile
overweight: BMI at the 85th and below 95th percentiles
obese: BMI at or above 95th percentile
For children younger than two years old, doctors use weight-for-length charts instead of BMI to determine how a baby’s weight compares with his or her length. Any child under 2 who falls at or above the 95th percentile may be considered overweight. You can refer to the national maternal and child health card.
BMI is not a perfect measure of body fat and can be misleading in some cases. For example, a muscular person may have a high BMI without being overweight (extra muscle adds to body weight — but not fatness). Also, BMI might be hard to interpret during puberty when kids have periods of fast growth. Remember, BMI is usually a good indicator of body fat, but it’s not a direct measurement.
Preventing kids from becoming overweight means making choices in the way your family eats and exercises, and how you spend time together. Helping children lead healthy lifestyles begins with parents who lead by example.
On a standard BMI chart, kids ages 2 to 19 fall into one of four categories:
underweight: BMI below the 5th percentile
normal weight: BMI at the 5th and less than the 85th percentile
overweight: BMI at the 85th and below 95th percentiles
obese: BMI at or above 95th percentile
For children younger than two years old, doctors use weight-for-length charts instead of BMI to determine how a baby’s weight compares with his or her length. Any child under 2 who falls at or above the 95th percentile may be considered overweight. You can refer to the national maternal and child health card.
BMI is not a perfect measure of body fat and can be misleading in some cases. For example, a muscular person may have a high BMI without being overweight (extra muscle adds to body weight — but not fatness). Also, BMI might be hard to interpret during puberty when kids have periods of fast growth. Remember, BMI is usually a good indicator of body fat, but it’s not a direct measurement.
Preventing kids from becoming overweight means making choices in the way your family eats and exercises, and how you spend time together. Helping children lead healthy lifestyles begins with parents who lead by example.
These are defined using a formulae known as the Body mass index (BMI). It uses height and weight measurements to estimate a person’s body fat. Calculating BMI on your own can be complicated. An easier way is to use a BMI calculator.
On a standard BMI chart, kids ages 2 to 19 fall into one of four categories:
underweight: BMI below the 5th percentile
normal weight: BMI at the 5th and less than the 85th percentile
overweight: BMI at the 85th and below 95th percentiles
obese: BMI at or above 95th percentile
For children younger than two years old, doctors use weight-for-length charts instead of BMI to determine how a baby’s weight compares with his or her length. Any child under 2 who falls at or above the 95th percentile may be considered overweight. You can refer to the national maternal and child health card.
BMI is not a perfect measure of body fat and can be misleading in some cases. For example, a muscular person may have a high BMI without being overweight (extra muscle adds to body weight — but not fatness). Also, BMI might be hard to interpret during puberty when kids have periods of fast growth. Remember, BMI is usually a good indicator of body fat, but it’s not a direct measurement.
Preventing kids from becoming overweight means making choices in the way your family eats and exercises, and how you spend time together. Helping children lead healthy lifestyles begins with parents who lead by example.
On a standard BMI chart, kids ages 2 to 19 fall into one of four categories:
underweight: BMI below the 5th percentile
normal weight: BMI at the 5th and less than the 85th percentile
overweight: BMI at the 85th and below 95th percentiles
obese: BMI at or above 95th percentile
For children younger than two years old, doctors use weight-for-length charts instead of BMI to determine how a baby’s weight compares with his or her length. Any child under 2 who falls at or above the 95th percentile may be considered overweight. You can refer to the national maternal and child health card.
BMI is not a perfect measure of body fat and can be misleading in some cases. For example, a muscular person may have a high BMI without being overweight (extra muscle adds to body weight — but not fatness). Also, BMI might be hard to interpret during puberty when kids have periods of fast growth. Remember, BMI is usually a good indicator of body fat, but it’s not a direct measurement.
Preventing kids from becoming overweight means making choices in the way your family eats and exercises, and how you spend time together. Helping children lead healthy lifestyles begins with parents who lead by example.
These are defined using a formulae known as the Body mass index (BMI). It uses height and weight measurements to estimate a person’s body fat. Calculating BMI on your own can be complicated. An easier way is to use a BMI calculator.
On a standard BMI chart, kids ages 2 to 19 fall into one of four categories:
underweight: BMI below the 5th percentile
normal weight: BMI at the 5th and less than the 85th percentile
overweight: BMI at the 85th and below 95th percentiles
obese: BMI at or above 95th percentile
For children younger than two years old, doctors use weight-for-length charts instead of BMI to determine how a baby’s weight compares with his or her length. Any child under 2 who falls at or above the 95th percentile may be considered overweight. You can refer to the national maternal and child health card.
BMI is not a perfect measure of body fat and can be misleading in some cases. For example, a muscular person may have a high BMI without being overweight (extra muscle adds to body weight — but not fatness). Also, BMI might be hard to interpret during puberty when kids have periods of fast growth. Remember, BMI is usually a good indicator of body fat, but it’s not a direct measurement.
Preventing kids from becoming overweight means making choices in the way your family eats and exercises, and how you spend time together. Helping children lead healthy lifestyles begins with parents who lead by example.
On a standard BMI chart, kids ages 2 to 19 fall into one of four categories:
underweight: BMI below the 5th percentile
normal weight: BMI at the 5th and less than the 85th percentile
overweight: BMI at the 85th and below 95th percentiles
obese: BMI at or above 95th percentile
For children younger than two years old, doctors use weight-for-length charts instead of BMI to determine how a baby’s weight compares with his or her length. Any child under 2 who falls at or above the 95th percentile may be considered overweight. You can refer to the national maternal and child health card.
BMI is not a perfect measure of body fat and can be misleading in some cases. For example, a muscular person may have a high BMI without being overweight (extra muscle adds to body weight — but not fatness). Also, BMI might be hard to interpret during puberty when kids have periods of fast growth. Remember, BMI is usually a good indicator of body fat, but it’s not a direct measurement.
Preventing kids from becoming overweight means making choices in the way your family eats and exercises, and how you spend time together. Helping children lead healthy lifestyles begins with parents who lead by example.
These are defined using a formulae known as the Body mass index (BMI). It uses height and weight measurements to estimate a person’s body fat. Calculating BMI on your own can be complicated. An easier way is to use a BMI calculator.
On a standard BMI chart, kids ages 2 to 19 fall into one of four categories:
underweight: BMI below the 5th percentile
normal weight: BMI at the 5th and less than the 85th percentile
overweight: BMI at the 85th and below 95th percentiles
obese: BMI at or above 95th percentile
For children younger than two years old, doctors use weight-for-length charts instead of BMI to determine how a baby’s weight compares with his or her length. Any child under 2 who falls at or above the 95th percentile may be considered overweight. You can refer to the national maternal and child health card.
BMI is not a perfect measure of body fat and can be misleading in some cases. For example, a muscular person may have a high BMI without being overweight (extra muscle adds to body weight — but not fatness). Also, BMI might be hard to interpret during puberty when kids have periods of fast growth. Remember, BMI is usually a good indicator of body fat, but it’s not a direct measurement.
Preventing kids from becoming overweight means making choices in the way your family eats and exercises, and how you spend time together. Helping children lead healthy lifestyles begins with parents who lead by example.
On a standard BMI chart, kids ages 2 to 19 fall into one of four categories:
underweight: BMI below the 5th percentile
normal weight: BMI at the 5th and less than the 85th percentile
overweight: BMI at the 85th and below 95th percentiles
obese: BMI at or above 95th percentile
For children younger than two years old, doctors use weight-for-length charts instead of BMI to determine how a baby’s weight compares with his or her length. Any child under 2 who falls at or above the 95th percentile may be considered overweight. You can refer to the national maternal and child health card.
BMI is not a perfect measure of body fat and can be misleading in some cases. For example, a muscular person may have a high BMI without being overweight (extra muscle adds to body weight — but not fatness). Also, BMI might be hard to interpret during puberty when kids have periods of fast growth. Remember, BMI is usually a good indicator of body fat, but it’s not a direct measurement.
Preventing kids from becoming overweight means making choices in the way your family eats and exercises, and how you spend time together. Helping children lead healthy lifestyles begins with parents who lead by example.
Obesity puts children at risk for medical problems that can affect their health now and in the future. These include serious conditions that were once considered adult diseases like:-
Type 2 diabetes,
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Bone and joint problems
Shortness of breath that makes exercise, sports, or any physical activity more difficult. This also can make asthma symptoms worse or lead kids to develop asthma.
Restless sleep or breathing problems at night
A tendency to mature earlier. Overweight kids may be taller and more sexually mature than their peers, raising expectations that they should act as old as they look, not as old as they are. Overweight girls may have irregular menstrual cycles and fertility problems in adulthood.
Liver and gallbladder disease
Obese kids also might have emotional issues to deal with (such as low self-esteem, and may be teased, bullied or rejected by peers. Kids who are unhappy with their weight can be at risk of unhealthy diets, eating disorders , depression and substance use.
If you’re worried, take your child or teen to see the doctor. The doctor will ask about eating and activity habits and make suggestions on how to make positive changes. The doctor also may order blood tests to look for some of the medical problems associated with obesity.
Depending on your child’s BMI (or weight-for-length measurement) and health, the doctor may refer you to a nutritionist for a weight management program. Self-instituted diets without professional help may be dangerous especially for children who are still developing.
Type 2 diabetes,
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Bone and joint problems
Shortness of breath that makes exercise, sports, or any physical activity more difficult. This also can make asthma symptoms worse or lead kids to develop asthma.
Restless sleep or breathing problems at night
A tendency to mature earlier. Overweight kids may be taller and more sexually mature than their peers, raising expectations that they should act as old as they look, not as old as they are. Overweight girls may have irregular menstrual cycles and fertility problems in adulthood.
Liver and gallbladder disease
Obese kids also might have emotional issues to deal with (such as low self-esteem, and may be teased, bullied or rejected by peers. Kids who are unhappy with their weight can be at risk of unhealthy diets, eating disorders , depression and substance use.
If you’re worried, take your child or teen to see the doctor. The doctor will ask about eating and activity habits and make suggestions on how to make positive changes. The doctor also may order blood tests to look for some of the medical problems associated with obesity.
Depending on your child’s BMI (or weight-for-length measurement) and health, the doctor may refer you to a nutritionist for a weight management program. Self-instituted diets without professional help may be dangerous especially for children who are still developing.
Diet and Lifestyle
Fast foods, over processed foods that are high in direct sugars and unhealthy fat are the main culprit. Large portions of food also contribute.
An irregular feeding pattern especially on weekends and holidays.
Modern life is also quite sedentary. Kids spend more time playing with electronic devices than actively playing outside. Kids who watch TV more than 4 hours a day are more likely to be overweight compared with kids who watch 2 hours or less. And kids who have a TV in the bedroom also are more likely to be overweight.
Exercise and Physical Activity
Many kids don’t get enough physical activity. Older kids and teens should get 1 hour or more of moderate to vigorous exercise every day, including aerobic and muscle- and bone-strengthening activities. Kid’s ages 2 to 5 years should play actively several times each day.
Genetics
Genetics can play a role in what kids weigh. Our genes help determine body type and how the body stores and burns fat. But genes alone can’t explain the current obesity crisis. Because both genes and habits are passed down from one generation to the next, multiple members of a family may struggle with weight.
People in the same family tend to have similar eating patterns, levels of physical activity, and attitudes toward being overweight. A child’s chances of being overweight increase if one or both parent is overweight or obese.
Fast foods, over processed foods that are high in direct sugars and unhealthy fat are the main culprit. Large portions of food also contribute.
An irregular feeding pattern especially on weekends and holidays.
Modern life is also quite sedentary. Kids spend more time playing with electronic devices than actively playing outside. Kids who watch TV more than 4 hours a day are more likely to be overweight compared with kids who watch 2 hours or less. And kids who have a TV in the bedroom also are more likely to be overweight.
Exercise and Physical Activity
Many kids don’t get enough physical activity. Older kids and teens should get 1 hour or more of moderate to vigorous exercise every day, including aerobic and muscle- and bone-strengthening activities. Kid’s ages 2 to 5 years should play actively several times each day.
Genetics
Genetics can play a role in what kids weigh. Our genes help determine body type and how the body stores and burns fat. But genes alone can’t explain the current obesity crisis. Because both genes and habits are passed down from one generation to the next, multiple members of a family may struggle with weight.
People in the same family tend to have similar eating patterns, levels of physical activity, and attitudes toward being overweight. A child’s chances of being overweight increase if one or both parent is overweight or obese.
The key to keeping kids of all ages at a healthy weight is taking a whole-family approach by making healthy eating and exercise a family affair.
Get your kids involved by letting them help you plan and prepare healthy meals.
Take them along when you go to the market or grocery shopping.
Teach them how to make good food choices. (The new Kenyan curriculum has the subject health & nutrition).
Serve healthy foods most of the time with treats once in a while.
Get your kids involved by letting them help you plan and prepare healthy meals.
Take them along when you go to the market or grocery shopping.
Teach them how to make good food choices. (The new Kenyan curriculum has the subject health & nutrition).
Serve healthy foods most of the time with treats once in a while.
Emergency Cases
Please feel welcome to contact our us with any general or medical enquiry call us.
Specialist Clinic Days
Monday – Friday 8.00 – 7:00 pm
Saturday 9.00 – 8.00 pm
Sunday 10.00 – 9.00 pm