Pediatric Metabolic Health Program
The Pediatric Metabolic Health Program team – which includes specialized pediatric physicians, nurses, dietitians, health coaches and feeding specialists – is motivated to strategically deliver comprehensive care plans to children at risk or suffering from metabolic syndrome (MetS) and other metabolic conditions.
Approximately one in four teenagers suffer from MetS. It’s one of the leading reasons that children are expected to have a shortened life expectancy compared to their parents.
MetS is best treated through early identification. Not only is MetS reversible, but it’s also preventable – especially with early, integrative and targeted interventions focused on diet and lifestyle.
We’re experts at working with children who have the following conditions:
- Hyperlipidemia, dyslipidemia
- Hypertension
- Insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia
- Malnutrition
- Metabolic syndrome (MetS)
- Obesity
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Prediabetes
We customize treatment to your child’s unique needs. Your initial visit is held in person, while subsequent visits are a mix of both virtual and in-person appointments.
Our services include:
- Comprehensive assessment and treatment plan
- Endocrinologist to diagnose and treat disorders of the endocrine system
- Labs and imaging such as ultrasound on a case-by-case basis
- Medication management
- Nutrition counseling and fitness planning
- Virtual and in-person visits
If you’re a provider, it’s easy to refer your pediatric patients to Swedish:
- In Epic: AMB REF FOR SWEDISH PEDIATRIC METABOLIC HEALTH PROGRAM
- If you do not use Epic: Complete this form.
Common diagnoses that may indicate a recommended referral to Pediatric Metabolic Health include:
- R63.5 - Rapid weight gain
- E88.81 - Insulin resistance
- E88.81 - Metabolic syndrome
- E16.1 - Hyperinsulinemia
- E65 - Localized adiposity of abdomen
- E66.01 - Morbid Obesity
- E66.01, E66.09 - Obesity due to excess calories with body mass index (BMI) greater than 95/98/99, etc.
- R73.03 - Prediabetes
- L83 - Acanthosis
- R74.01 - Elevated ALT
- R93.2 - Highly echogenic liver on ultrasound
Frequently Asked Questions
Treating MetS is most effective when we use an integrated, multidisciplinary approach with continuity in mind. We’ve designed an initial program of 6 visits that are planned in a deliberate order to maximize motivation and success.
Our intake coordinator works with you to schedule this series of visits. Each visit will include guidance and education about innovative interventions to treat and reverse MetS.
If you can’t commit to all 6 appointments, speak to your pediatrician about an alternative way to seek one-on-one care with our specialists.
Your child’s initial appointments occur in the following order:
- Endocrinologist
- Health coach
- Dietician
- Health coach
- Gastroenterologist
- Health coach
Following your initial visits, we may suggest some additional appointments to best support your child’s individual needs.
We help coordinate care with our feeding therapist and/or other specialists such as nephrology for high blood pressure, sleep medicine for obstructive sleep apnea and sports medicine as needed.
We also have two dedicated pediatric nurse navigators who are available to answer your questions throughout the program.
Initial visits will take about an hour. Follow-up appointments will last approximately 30 minutes to an hour.
It’s important that you arrive on time for your appointment. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please contact us as soon as possible.
Yes. Health coaching visits happen mostly by Zoom or phone. The dietician visits are a mix of virtual and in person.
Please note, your child’s first visit with the physicians will almost always be in person. Follow-up physician visits can be virtual.
After you schedule your child’s appointment, we’ll send you a packet with intake forms. Please fill out these forms before the appointment and bring them with you.
Also, bring your insurance or Medicaid card and any additional information you think will help our clinicians better understand your child’s diet, lifestyle and health patterns.
When the assessment is complete, you receive a customized treatment plan. This plan may include the need for further testing or additional referrals based on your child’s specific condition.
At the end of each visit, you take home written instructions to help you follow the plan and recommendations. An evaluation summary is also sent to your child’s primary doctor after each visit.
As the evaluations progress, we share impressions and/or results of medical tests. We have two dedicated pediatric nurses to coordinate care, explain test results and ensure follow-up plans are clear.
We’re constantly brainstorming ways to improve how we can serve you and your child better. We hope to offer services like group sessions and classes on weekends and will share these updates with you as they become available.
If you have Medicaid or an insurance plan that includes doctor and dietician visits, you shouldn’t have to pay anything other than your usual copay.
If your insurance doesn’t cover specialist or dietician visits, please talk with our staff before your child’s first visit.