Teen Health at The Children’s Hospital

While teens might have some of the same conditions and health problems that young children or even adults have, there can be added complexities to solving these problems simply because of the added dynamic of being a teen. Even perfectly healthy teens can have a hard time, especially when you consider that their bodies are changing with puberty, there are many stresses at school or at home, and there are added dynamics of growing up that can complicate life.

At The Children’s Hospital, we recognize that teens are a category unto themselves, and they deserve special attention. What might solve problems in an adult is not always right for a teen. It takes a special approach to healthcare, considering all aspects of teen health – physical, emotional, mental, even sexual – to provide the best care possible. The Children’s Hospital offers a full range of primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare to teenagers in the metropolitan area with both physical and emotional problems. Consultative services are provided to adolescents referred from throughout the Rocky Mountain area. The Children’s Hospital provides both outpatient and inpatient care services and customizes treatment plans specifically for each patient.

Adolescent Medicine

The Children’s Hospital Adolescent Medicine team works with a multi-disciplinary approach with other specialists in the hospital. That means that Children’s experts on specific conditions work closely with our experts on teen health to make sure your child is not only receiving the best care possible, but also care that is tailored just for your teen. The services of The Children’s Hospital Adolescent Medicine program include:

• Primary care for teens and young adults

• Sports participation physicals

• Routine gynecological care

• Birth control counseling

• Menstrual problems

• Eating disorders

• Hormone problems

• Chronic illnesses

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

• Consultation services for complicated physical and psychological problems

Eating Disorders, Nutrition and Weight Management

• Eating Disorders: The Eating Disorders Program at The Children’s Hospital is recognized nationally for the management of complicated cases of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa, providing both inpatient and outpatient services.

• Nutrition: treatment of nutrition problems specific to teens, including proper sports nutrition

• Weight Management: the treatment of obesity and related problems such as diabetes, metabolism conditions, cardiac problems and lifestyle influences

Adolescent Gynecology and Reproductive Health

The Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Team at The Children’s Hospital is a multidisciplinary team of pediatricians and gynecologists with expertise in a wide array of adolescent gynecology disorders and the management of teen pregnancy.

Behavioral and Developmental Health

Behavioral and development problems, such as hyperactivity and ADHD, learning and development disorders are evaluated, treated and managed with consideration toward a teen’s active and social lifestyle.

Mental Health

The Adolescent Medicine team at The Children’s Hospital works closely with the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences department when necessary to add extra consultation from experts in treating mental health conditions that can include anxiety, depression, suicide and psychotic, bipolar or other mood disorders.