The pattern and clinical outcomes of non-diabetic pediatric endocrine disorders, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia: a retrospective study

Abstract

PurposePediatric endocrine disorders (PED) are a common component of medical health challenges in Saudi Arabia. We aimed to describe the pattern and clinical outcomes of different non-diabetic pediatric endocrine disorders in Al-Baha Region, Saudi Arabia, aiming for early diagnosis and management.MethodsThe clinical and laboratory data of 744 children and adolescents who presented with non-diabetic endocrine disorders and received medical care at the pediatric endocrine clinic et al.-Baha during the period from 2018 to 2022 were retrospectively analyzed based on the records.ResultsA total of 744 patients were recruited, 377 were females and 361 were males with a female/male ratio of 1.04/1. The patients’ ages ranged from 2 months to 17 years, with a mean age of 9.87 ± 4.59 years. The commonest endocrine disorders were thyroid disorders 234 (31.5%), short stature 176 (23.7%), obesity 123 (16.5%), and calcium phosphate metabolism disorders 117 (15.7%). Other disorders seen were pubertal disorders 27 (3.6%), adrenal gland disorders 22 (3%), syndromes with endocrine features 14 (1.9%), sex development and gender disorders 6 (0.8%), pituitary and hypothalamic disorders 4 (0.5%), and mixed endocrine disorders 4 (0.5%). PED is a substantial source of morbidity in 26 cases and mortality in 2 cases.ConclusionsThyroid, growth, and obesity disorders were the most common PED. Pediatric endocrine disorders have a substantial source of morbidity and mortality among Saudi children and adolescents. This baseline data is useful for planning PED care at institutional and national levels.