by KYW's medical editor Dr. Brian McDonough

Adolescent medicine is a growing field and it can be a very important one - in particular for teenage girls who are in that gray area between seeing the pediatrician and moving on to the gynecologist. 

Most adolescent medicine physicians are pediatricians who have chosen to specialize in that age group and the problems commonly found. The major causes of health problems for adolescents are related to injury but there are still medical conditions that are relatively common for adolescents.  The medical complications of eating disorders, disorders of puberty, endocrine complications that can occur related to development in puberty, managing menstrual disorders, and even addictions treatment.

Another key role is to help people in their transition to adulthood. An adolescent medicine is not an absolute need.  Many pediatricians, family doctors and ob-gyn’s do a great job but this area specifically targets those tee age concerns.