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Line One: Pediatric endocrinology in Alaska

Getting vaccinated during pregnancy is one of the best ways to make sure your vulnerable newborn benefits from your antibodies to the coronavirus, doctors say. (©fitopardo/Getty Images)
Getting vaccinated during pregnancy is one of the best ways to make sure your vulnerable newborn benefits from your antibodies to the coronavirus, doctors say. (©fitopardo/Getty Images)

Children in Alaska can be affected by unique pediatric endocrine disorders like rickets, precocious or delayed puberty, short stature, thyroid dysfunction and pituitary gland disorders. Many of these have lifelong effects and can be difficult to identify. Some of these disorders are diagnosed at a higher rate in Alaska than in the Lower 48. How do these disorders show up and what treatments are available?

LISTEN:

HOST:  Dr. Jillian Woodruff

GUESTS:

Dr. Rachel Lescher, board certified Pediatric Endocrinologist, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium

RESOURCES:

Information on what conditions babies are often screened for within the first 24 hours after birth. 

  • Newborn Bloodspot Screening: Services - info on the Alaska Newborn Screening program, which screens for congenital endocrine diseases - congenital adrenal hyperplasia and congenital hypothyroidism
  • Clinical Growth Charts Abnormalities in growth can lead to diagnoses of many health problems, including pediatric endocrine conditions. childhood growth charts; all infants, children, and adolescents should have their lengths/heights, weights, and BMIs plotted and monitored on growth charts at regular intervals. 

Institute for Healthy Childhood Weight - American Academy of Pediatrics Institute for Healthy Childhood Weight resources and support

PARTICIPATE:

Call 550-8433 (Anchorage) or 1-888-353-5752 (statewide) during the live broadcast (10–11 a.m.).

Send an email to  lineone@alaskapublic.org before, during or after the live broadcast (e-mails may be read on air).

LIVE BROADCAST: Wednesday, August 24, 2022, at 10 a.m. AKDT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Wednesday, August 24, 2022, at 8 p.m. AKDT

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Dr. Jillian Woodruff, also known as Dr. Jill, is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a Fellow of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She has the distinction of being able to converse with patients in 4 languages: English, Spanish, American Sign Language and conversational Mandarin Chinese.