Pediatric Endocrine Society Kenya

31/07/2025

Part 5: Wrapping Up Our Series on Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)
Let’s bring everything together, from what CAH is to how it’s diagnosed, treated, and managed ,so we can work toward building healthier futures for affected children.

🧬 What is CAH?

CAH is a genetic disorder affecting the adrenal glands, which leads to a deficiency of cortisol and/or aldosterone and an overproduction of androgens (male hormones). It’s usually caused by mutations in the 21-hydroxylase enzyme gene.

⚠️ How Does CAH Present?

Its presentation depends on the type and severity:
Classic CAH (Severe Form):
May present in newborns with:
* Ambiguous genitalia in females
* Vomiting, dehydration, and failure to thrive
* Salt-wasting crisis (life-threatening if untreated)
* Severe electrolyte imbalance

Non-Classic CAH (Milder Form):
🧒 May present later with:
* Early puberty
* Acne, excess hair growth (hirsutism)
* Irregular periods in adolescent girls
* Infertility in adults
* Often misdiagnosed or overlooked

🧪 Diagnosis
🩺 Confirmed with:
* Elevated 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels
* Electrolyte imbalance
* ACTH stimulation test
* Genetic testing (if available)

Newborn screening (where available) can help in early detection and prompt treatment.

💊 What Treatments Are Life-Saving?
* Hydrocortisone: Replaces missing cortisol
* Fludrocortisone: Replaces aldosterone in salt-wasting types
* Salt supplementation in infants
* Regular monitoring and dose adjustments during stress, illness, or growth

For non-classic CAH, mild symptoms may be managed with low-dose glucocorticoids, and in some cases, no treatment may be needed—just observation and support.

❤️ Living a Healthy, Happy Life with CAH
Children with CAH can thrive when they receive:
* Timely diagnosis
* Consistent medication
* Regular endocrinology follow-ups
* Emotional and social support
* A stigma-free environment
* Equal access to education and opportunities

🎯 There is no cure yet, but with the right care, children with CAH can lead full, healthy lives.
Let’s continue to raise awareness, eliminate stigma, and advocate for early diagnosis and compassionate care.

Stay connected with PESK as we continue to simplify complex pediatric health topics one condition at a time.

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24/07/2025

🧬Part 4 of our Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) Series: Life Beyond the Diagnosis
A diagnosis of CAH can feel overwhelming for families but with the right care children with CAH can lead full, healthy and happy lives. 💪👧👦

✨ So, what does it take?
🩺 Lifelong hormone replacement therapy is essential.
Hydrocortisone and Fludrocortisone are life-saving medications that help replace deficient adrenal hormones and support normal growth and development.
These medications must be taken consistently, and dosages adjusted over time with the help of a pediatric endocrinologist.

📅 Regular clinic follow-ups are vital.
Monitoring growth, puberty, hormone levels, and stress-dose adjustments is critical, especially during illness or surgery.
Families need ongoing support and education to manage care confidently.

❤️ Beyond medicine, these children need acceptance.
No child should face stigma because of a medical condition.
Children with CAH have a right to education, opportunities, and dignity.
Schools, caregivers, and communities must be sensitized to support these children compassionately.

🚫 There is currently no way to prevent CAH.
Which is why early diagnosis, newborn screening (where available), and timely treatment are the best tools we have to prevent avoidable complications, disability, and even death.

Let’s build an informed, inclusive, and proactive society where no child is left behind due to a hormonal disorder.

🎥 Stay with PESK as we continue our mission to educate, support, and advocate for children’s endocrine health.

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18/07/2025

Moving to Part 3 of our Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) Series!*
Let’s now explore a critical aspect — *how CAH presents clinically* and the signs that should raise red flags early in life.

🧠 Early detection can be life-saving.
But what should you look for?

👶 In newborns, CAH may present with:

* Ambiguous genitalia (in females)
* Dehydration, vomiting, poor feeding
* Salt-wasting crisis (low sodium, high potassium)
* Failure to thrive

🧒 In older children, signs include:

* Early signs of puberty (precocious puberty)
* Rapid growth with advanced bone age
* Acne or excess hair growth (hirsutism)
* Menstrual irregularities in females

🧪 Key tests to confirm diagnosis:

* 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels
* Electrolyte panel, Bone Age Xray wrist
* ACTH stimulation test
* Genetic testing (when available)

🩺 *Early diagnosis and timely hormone replacement therapy* can significantly reduce both *morbidity and mortality* in affected children.

Let’s stay informed and vigilant.
💡 *Knowledge leads to early intervention, and early intervention saves lives.*

Stay tuned as we continue our series on pediatric hormonal disorders — only with PESK.

15/07/2025

Let’s dive deeper into Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) — a genetic disorder that affects the adrenal glands, leading to imbalances in vital hormones responsible for growth, development, and salt regulation. 🧬🩺

But what really causes CAH?
It stems from mutations in genes responsible for enzyme production — most commonly 21-hydroxylase — leading to reduced cortisol and aldosterone, and often excess androgen levels.

👶 Who is at risk?
Children born to parents who both carry the gene mutation are at higher risk, making it an inherited autosomal recessive condition.

💡 Which hormones are affected?
This post will help you understand how CAH disrupts the delicate hormonal trio: *cortisol, aldosterone, and androgens* — and what that means for a child’s health.

🎥 Stay with PESK as we continue to explore pediatric hormonal disorders, one reel at a time — because informed care starts with understanding.

15/07/2025

🧠💛 Understanding CAH: A PESK Awareness Series

Join us each week as we shine a light on Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) — a treatable condition that can be life-threatening if not detected early. Through awareness, we aim to reduce mortality, morbidity, and long-term complications.

🌍 From hospitals to homes, from Nairobi to Hastings and beyond — let’s empower families and health workers with the knowledge to act early.

02/06/2024

Enhancing Type 1 Diabetes Care: Training Program Empowers Healthcare Workers in Kisumu and Busia Counties

In a concerted effort to improve care for children and adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM), the Pediatric Endocrine Society Kenya, in collaboration with the Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. and the Ministry of Health, Kenya, has launched a groundbreaking training program. This initiative, tailored for healthcare workers in Kisumu and Busia counties, aims to address critical issues such as missed diagnoses, management gaps, and the provision of routine care.
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus poses a significant global health challenge, especially in resource-limited settings where access to proper care and education is often restricted. In Kenya, the burden of T1DM is further exacerbated by late diagnoses and inadequate management, leading to avoidable complications and reduced quality of life for those affected.
Recognizing the urgency of these challenges, PESK and its partners have orchestrated a comprehensive training program. Through workshops, seminars, and hands-on sessions, healthcare workers are being equipped with the latest knowledge and skills necessary for the effective diagnosis, management, and ongoing care of T1DM patients.

Key components of the training initiative include:
Early Recognition and Diagnosis: Training participants to promptly recognize the signs and symptoms of T1DM, facilitating timely diagnosis and intervention.
Optimized Management Strategies: Covering evidence-based approaches to T1DM management, including insulin therapy, dietary considerations, and lifestyle modifications to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
Comprehensive Care Protocols: Emphasizing holistic care, which includes medical treatment, psychosocial support, and education for patients and their families.

By empowering healthcare workers with the necessary knowledge and tools, the initiative aims to mitigate the impact of T1DM in Kisumu and Busia counties. Additionally, it seeks to foster a network of trained professionals who can advocate for improved diabetes care across Kenya.

This collaborative effort between PESK, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, and the Ministry of Health represents a significant step forward in the fight against T1DM, reaffirming the commitment to prioritize the health and well-being of children and adolescents living with diabetes.

11/05/2024

Empowering Healthcare Warriors: Addressing Type 1 Diabetes in Kenya's Frontier Counties

In the challenging landscapes of Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi counties in Kenya, an urgent health concern for children is Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). This silent epidemic highlights significant issues such as missed diagnoses, delayed treatments, and increasing chronic complications.

The Pediatric Endocrine Society Kenya (PESK), in collaboration with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Ministry of Health (MOH), and the Council of Governors (CoG), is taking proactive steps to combat T1DM. Together, these healthcare leaders are providing specialized training in T1DM management to selected healthcare professionals, overcoming geographical barriers to deliver vital care.

Healthcare workers in remote areas of Kenya's frontier counties are now equipped to identify warning signs, facilitate timely diagnoses, and implement comprehensive management strategies for T1DM. Tailored training programs have transformed them into pillars of support, connecting underserved communities with crucial healthcare services.

Beyond diagnosis and management, preventing long-term health risks is crucial. Collaborative efforts with government bodies like MOH and CoG have led to initiatives addressing rising complications, ensuring comprehensive care for children with T1DM.

Despite challenges, resilience shines through in Kenya's frontier counties, showcasing the dedication of healthcare providers and communities in fighting T1DM and improving healthcare access.

As the sun sets on Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi counties, a new era of progress unfolds. Through collaboration and compassion, these counties become beacons of hope in the global fight against T1DM, demonstrating the power of unity in healthcare.

24/04/2024

Improving Diabetes Care: Coastal Kenya Training Initiative for Better Health in Lamu, Tana, Kilifi.

The Pediatric Endocrine Society of Kenya (PESK) and Partners Address Type 1 Diabetes Care Challenges in Coastal Kenya: Insights from Recent Training Program

Learn how PESK, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Kenya and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), conducted a targeted training program to tackle Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) care challenges in Lamu, Kilifi, and Tana River counties. Explore key insights on addressing misdiagnosis, management gaps, and enhancing early detection methods and preventive measures for improved diabetes care outcomes in coastal Kenya

24/04/2024

Improving Diabetes Care: Training Program in Coastal Kenya (Kwale, Mombasa, Taita Taveta)

Pediatric Endocrine Society of Kenya (PESK), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Kenya and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), recently organized a comprehensive training program focused on Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) care in Mombasa, Kwale, and Taita Taveta counties. This initiative aimed to address challenges like misdiagnosis, underdiagnosis, management gaps, and associated acute and chronic complications of T1DM.

The training empowered healthcare professionals with specialized knowledge and skills crucial for improving diabetes care. Interactive workshops, case studies, and practical demonstrations provided insights into early detection methods, effective management strategies, and preventive measures for T1DM. Emphasis was also placed on multidisciplinary collaboration and patient education for optimizing diabetes care outcomes.

This initiative seeks to enhance diabetes care quality, reduce complications, and improve the well-being of T1DM individuals in coastal Kenya. Stay updated for the impact of this training on diabetes management and healthcare delivery.

16/04/2024

Dr. Gaman Mohammed taking on the debate on HbAIc or Time in range in management of type 1 DM.

16/04/2024

A session on nutrition and type 1 DM at the KPA ASC preconference symposium by our renown nutritionist, Kerina Esther. She emphasizes on balancing insulin with carbohydrates to enable good glycemic control as well as harmonious growth in children and adolescents.

16/04/2024

Pre-conference symposium on type 1 DM updates ongoing at Pride Inn hotel Shanzu with Paediatricians as the main audience.

Globally, it's estimated that out of every 2 patients diagnosed with Type 1 DM, one has died out of misdiagnosis. This is worse in children and moreso in LMIC.

The percentage undiagnosed cases amongst 0-19 year olds in developing countries especially in sub Saharan Africa is approximated at 65%.

The average life expectancy is 13 years from diagnosis compared to around 65 years in developed countries.

What's the role of the Paediatrician in early diagnosis and accurate management of children and adolescents with type 1 DM?