CLINICAL PATTERNS OF PAEDIATRIC ENDOCRINE DISORDERS IN TAMIL NADU: AN ICD-10 CLASSIFICATION STUDY AT A TERTIARY CENTRE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/zk7cwd14Keywords:
Endocrine disorders; children; adolescents; tertiary centre; India; Tamil NaduAbstract
Aim: To describe the spectrum of various endocrine disorders seen in children and adolescents at Indira Medical College and Hospital, Tiruvallur, Chennai over the period 2019-2023, using the modified European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology ICD-10 classification.
Study Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration: Paediatric Endocrinology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Indira Medical College and Hospital, Tiruvallur, Chennai. Study was conducted with data from January 2019 to December 2023.
Methods: A retrospective review of 116 patients with various endocrine diseases was carried out. Data on biodata, clinical presentations, investigations and diagnosis were retrieved from clinic records, ward files and the endocrine unit register.
Results: A total of 116 patients were seen with various endocrine disorders over the study period, accounting for 3.8% of Paediatric specialist clinic consultations. There were 58 (50.0%) females, 52 (44.8%) males and 6 (5.2%) with genital ambiguity. The ages of patients ranged from 8 days to 17 years with a mean age of 7.4 ± 4.8 years. The commonest endocrine disorders were thyroid disorders, diabetes mellitus, growth disorders, calcium phosphate metabolism and bone disorders, and pubertal disorders in 24 (20.7%), 20 (17.2%), 15 (12.9%), 12 (10.3%) and 11 (9.5%) respectively. Obesity was observed in 10 (8.6%) of patients, and syndromes with endocrine features in 7 (6.0%). Other disorders included sex development and gender disorders, testicular/male reproductive tract disorders, pituitary/hypothalamic disorders, adrenal disorders and ovarian/female reproductive tract disorders in 6 (5.2%), 5 (4.3%), 3 (2.6%), 2 (1.7%) and 1 (0.9%) respectively. Type 1 DM remained the commonest type of DM. Most patients belonged to social class III. Challenges to management included high cost of investigations and medications, and a significant rate of loss to follow-up.
Conclusion: Thyroid disorders, type 1 Diabetes mellitus, growth disorders, calcium and phosphate metabolism and bone disorders, and pubertal disorders were the most common conditions identified. There is a need for affordable, locally available diagnostic facilities and trained paediatric endocrinologists to enhance the quality of care for children with endocrine disorders in this region.
Downloads
References
Zacharin M, Chanoine JP, Cassora F, Brink S, Hanas R, Fideleff HL, et al. Promoting excellence in the care of Paediatric endocrine diseases in the developing world. Paediatrics. 2013;131:573-578.
Endocrine disorders and Children. World Health Organisation. Available: www.who.int/ceh/capacity/endocrine.pdf
Golden SH, Robinson KA, Saldanha I, Anton B, Ladenson PW. Clinical review: Prevalence and incidence of endocrine and metabolic disorders in the United States: A comprehensive review. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2009;94:1853-1878.
Anochie IC, Opara PI, Inimgba N. Pattern of endocrine diseases in children at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Port Harcourt Med J. 2009;3:145-152.
Anochie IC, Azubuike JC. Endocrine and metabolic disorders. In: Azubuike JC, Nkanginieme KEO eds. Paediatrics and Child Health in a Tropical Region. 2nd ed. African Educational Services, Owerri. 2007;666-683.
Famuyiwa OO. Problems and Challenges in the practice of endocrinology in a developing country: An overview. Nig Med Pract. 1990;20:3-6.
Odundo GO, Ngwiri T, Otuoma O, Laigong P, Mukhwana R, Limbe MS, Chanzu NM. The Impact and Successes of a Paediatric Endocrinology Fellowship Program in Africa. Int J Endocrinol; 2016. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/1560248.
Oyedeji GA. Socioeconomic and cultural background of hospitalized children in Ilesha. Nig J Paed. 1985;12:111-117.
Latronico AC, Brito VN, Carel JC. Causes, diagnosis and treatment of central precocious puberty. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2016;4:265-274.
Quigley CA, Ranke MB. International Classification of Pediatric Endocrine Diagnoses; 2016. Available: www.icped.org
Bharati S, Pal M, Bhattacharya BN. Prevalence and causes of low birth weight in India. Malaysian J Nutr. 2011;17:301-313.
Onyiriuka AN, Kouyate M. Paediatric endocrine disorders as seen at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital over a ten year period. Niger J Paed. 2014;41:316-320.
Jarrett OO, Ogunbosi BO, Ayoola OO. Paediatric endocrine disorders at the University College Hospital, Ibadan: 2002-2009. Ann Ib Postgrad Med. 2013;11:96-101.
Onyiriuka AN, Adiodun PO, Onyiriuka LC. Thyroid disorders in childhood and adolescence: Analysis of clinical data and management challenges in patients seen in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital. Greener J Med Sci. 2012;2:045-050.
Jaja T, Yarhere IE. Clinical characteristics of children and adolescents with thyroid disorders seen at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital: A five year review. Niger J Paed. 2014;41:302-306.
Gupta N, Goel K, Shah P, Misra A. Childhood Obesity in developing countries: Epidemiology, determinants and prevention. Endocrine Reviews. 2012;33:48-70.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Challa Harisha (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation .
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
