My seven year old daughter has type 1 diabetes, and we do not have a pediatric specialist in our area, but we do have adult specialist. When can we expect to be able to see the adult specialist?

Children who have diabetes do not necessarily need an endocrine specialist. There are many well-trained pediatricians who care for large numbers of kids and adolescents with diabetes very successfully. I would ask your pediatrician about whether your daughter needs the expertise of a specialist or if he/she is comfortable providing all the care your daughter needs for her diabetes as well as her general health care.

MSB
Additional comments from Dr. Larry Deeb:

An adult specialist would have to be crazy to manage a seven year old, just like a pediatrician shouldn’t manage a 40 year old. There are pediatric endocrinologists throughout your state. Your daughter can be seen by one on a sporadic basis (once a year perhaps) — he/she can work with your pediatrician, especially if the pediatrician is interested in diabetes.

LD
Additional comments from Dr. Stuart Brink:

I disagree. I think that pediatric endocrinologists practice very differently from almost all adult endocrinologists and I would encourage consultation with the closest pediatric endocrinologist who has pediatric diabetes expertise. Experience matters.

SB