Patient during endocrinology clinic visit.

Endocrinology is the branch of medicine that deals with the endocrine system, or hormones, and its diseases, such as diabetes or thyroid disorders.

What is a pediatric endocrinologist?

A pediatric endocrinologist is a doctor who is trained in the diagnosis, management and treatment of diseases that are caused by problems with a child’s hormones.

When should my child see a pediatric endocrinologist?

If your child is experiencing problems with growth, puberty, diabetes or any other issues related to his hormones, you should call your child’s pediatrician. Your child’s pediatrician may suggest your child be seen by a pediatric endocrinologist.

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is home to one of the leading pediatric endocrinology programs in Georgia. Our team provides clinical, diagnostic and lab services for the evaluation and treatment of diabetes and other endocrine disorders in children, teens and young adults.

Additionally, our pediatric endocrinologists are committed to excellence and innovation in research. In conjunction with Emory University School of Medicine, Georgia Institute of Technology and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we have been involved extensively with local, national and international collaborative research endeavors. These efforts span the entire spectrum—from observation, to early disease recognition and prevention, to treatment.

At Children’s, our pediatric endocrinologists are skilled at diagnosing and treating children, teens and young adults with a wide range of endocrine disorders, from common to complex. Our team provides clinical, diagnostic and lab services for the evaluation and treatment of diabetes and other endocrine disorders.

What endocrinology conditions do we treat?

  • Adrenal disorders like adrenal insufficiency
  • Bone disorders
  • Calcium disorders, including hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia
  • Cholesterol disorders
  • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
  • Cushing syndrome
  • Delayed, absent or early puberty
  • Diabetes insipidus
  • Disorders of the anterior pituitary gland
  • Disorders of sex development
  • Growth disorders
  • Gynecomastia in males
  • Hirsutism in females
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Prader-Willi syndrome
  • Prolactin disorders
  • Rickets
  • Short stature
  • Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)
  • Thyroid nodules
  • Thyroid disorders, including hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism
  • Turner syndrome
  • Type 1 diabetes mellitus
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Endocrinology clinics

Children's offers the following pediatric endocrinology clinics:

  • Bone
  • Diabetes
  • General endocrinology
  • Lipid
  • Transition
  • Turner syndrome
  • Type 2 diabetes

Multispecialty clinics

At Children’s, we embrace collaboration among our pediatric specialists. Through this collaboration, we offer many different multispecialty clinics in which our endocrinologists participate, including:

  • Brain tumor: This clinic offers a team of providers with specialized expertise in childhood brain tumors.
  • Differences of sex development: A dedicated case manager provides coordinated care across specialties and serves as the primary contact for children with differences of sexual development from birth into young adulthood. 
  • Strong4Life: This clinic is specifically for families struggling with health issues related to weight.
  • Thyroid cancer: A team of doctors and other healthcare professional care for children with thyroid cancer.

Our Endocrinology Program is comprised of Children’s Physician Group providers and pediatric endocrinologists in the community. This team works together to help ensure complete, coordinated care is delivered seamlessly at our hospitals for children and teens with diabetes and other endocrine conditions. 

Children’s Physician Group–Endocrinology

Children's Physician Group is the largest pediatric multispecialty physician practice in Georgia with more than 500 doctors and 400 advanced practice providers who are employed by Children’s or serve as faculty members at Emory University School of Medicine. Children’s Physician Group–Endocrinology providers include:

Pediatric endocrinologists

Psychologist

Advanced practice providers

  • Jennifer Besse, CPNP
  • Heather Fritz, CPNP
  • Sydney Landrum, PNP
  • Sandra Jo Larisch, CPNP
  • Christine Newell, CPNP
  • Megan Consedine Pruett, CPNP
  • Daraus Starks, CPNP
  • Denise Streleckis, PA-C

Children's Physician Group–Endocrinology offers outpatient clinics across metro Atlanta.