Pediatric Endocrinology and Growth Disorders

The study of pediatric endocrine disorders has progressed dramatically over the past decade.

For example:

1) Characteristics of childhood, such as growth (endochondral ossification) and puberty development, have begun to be explained at the molecular level;

2) Our understanding of the role of genetic factors, such as gene mutations and chromosomal and imprinting abnormalities affecting gene expression, in childhood diseases is increasing;

3) The importance of early intervention for type 2 diabetes and obesity is now recognized because these diseases in children often lead to adult morbidity;

4) The utility of tailored clinical research has become widely acknowledged;

5) And new therapeutic agents and devices, such as anti-FGF23 antibodies and continuous glucose monitoring, have been introduced.

Amid these advances, clinicians have the ongoing responsibility to report cases that may lead to new insights, conduct retrospective and prospective studies on unresolved medical issues, and write review articles on novel topics (sometimes involving basic science). The Section “Pediatric Endocrinology and Growth Disorders” comprises all types of research, including case reports, original articles, commentaries, and reviews, as well as studies dealing with basic research directly relevant to medical practice and so-called translational research addressing clinical and academic questions.

Specifically, topics falling within the scope of this section include but are not limited to:

• Growth;
• Puberty;
• Sexual development;
• Diabetes and obesity;
• Hypoglycemia;
• Adrenal gland-related issues;
• Thyroid-related issues;
• Water and electrolyte metabolism;
• Bone and mineral metabolism;
• Pediatric endocrine tumors.