Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity

Advanced Treatment for Diabetes, Obesity or Stunted Growth

Disruptions to a child's endocrine system, which regulates hormones, can result in conditions such as diabetes, obesity, or stunted growth. Our pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology team addresses not only the physical issues but also the mental and emotional challenges that arise from these conditions. The care provided by Arkansas Children’s is designed to support the whole child and their family or caregivers, to make children better today and healthier tomorrow.

What to expect at your first visit

When you and your child come to Arkansas Children’s, we may perform some tests to help us make a diagnosis and begin the proper treatment. Be sure to follow any instructions provided by your doctor or a member of our endocrinology team.

Some tests require your child to fast (no food or drink) before coming to the hospital, such as:

• Growth Hormone Stimulation Test (AITT)
• Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

Children coming to the Center for Obesity And its Consequences in Health (COACH) clinic may also need to fast for blood testing.

Your child may eat (no fasting required) before other tests, such as:

• Low-dose adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation study
• High-dose adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation study

A diabetes educator for Arkansas Children's, shares what families should have in their kits and offers tips for talking to teachers and school nurses.

Your doctor may order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test. We most often use MRI tests to evaluate children for:

• Growth hormone deficiency
• Central precocious puberty

Clinical Trials and Research

The pediatric endocrinology team at Arkansas Children's is actively involved in research to find the best treatments for diabetes and other pediatric endocrine conditions. Our doctors, nurses and other staff participate in local, national and global investigations of new and existing treatments. This means your child has access to the most advanced care available, including the chance to participate in clinical trials when appropriate.

We work with TrialNet, an international network of universities, medical centers, doctors, scientists and healthcare teams, to research and innovate ways to prevent Type 1 diabetes. TrialNet provides:

• Risk screening for relatives of people with Type 1 diabetes
• Clinical studies to preserve insulin production

Industry-Sponsored Studies

• Use of Simponi in Type 1 diabetes. This is a Phase 2a study to test the ability Simponi, an anti-TNFa monoclonal antibody, to preserve beta cell function in children with newly-diagnosed Type 1 diabetes. Sponsored by Janssen Research & Development, Inc.
• Use of Canagliflozin in children and adolescents with Type 2 diabetes. A study of the safety efficacy of an SGLT2 inhibitor in children and adolescents with Type 2 diabetes. Sponsored by Janssen Research & Development, Inc.
• Use of Alogliptin in children with Type 2 diabetes. A Phase 3 study of the efficacy and safety of a GLP-1 agonist in children and adolescents with Type 2 Diabetes.  Sponsored by Takeda, Inc.
• A study of long-acting growth hormone in children with growth hormone deficiency. A Phase 3 Trial of the safety, tolerability and efficacy of using TransCon hGH with a weekly versus daily hGH in children with growth hormone deficiency. Sponsored by Ascendis Pharma A/S.

Investigator-Initiated Studies

Our doctors are preparing to launch multiple corporate studies that will expose our patients and families to more cutting-edge therapies. They include:

• Growth hormone studies. Michele Hutchison, M.D., is leading several studies related to growth hormone deficiency and using growth hormone to treat endocrine conditions. Several doctors are
• Type 2 diabetes. Michele Hutchison, M.D., is leading several studies related to care and treatments for children with Type 2 diabetes.
• Fatty liver disease. Emir Tas, M.D., has received funding through the Arkansas Children’s Research Institute to study the relationship of FG-21 and fatty liver disease. The goal is to find ways to more closely and accurately monitor the disease process. Fatty liver disease is very common and considered a significant issue given it may be the leading cause of cirrhosis by 2030.