Paediatric endocrinologist Dr Galina Kisyova sees patients tomorrow, September 26, at the "Sveta Sofia" medical centre in Burgas. Parents can bring their children to her if they have growth or weight problems — whether too low or too high. She also treats delayed or too-early puberty, thyroid problems, diabetes and other hormone disorders.

Hormone problems in children often go unnoticed at first, Dr Kisyova says. "Hormone disorders in children don't always show clear symptoms. That's why it's important to watch growth, weight and puberty development — a change in these can sometimes be the first sign that a child needs to see a specialist," she says.

Here are the signs that should send parents to a doctor, according to Dr Kisyova:

  • short height or unusually fast growth;
  • sudden weight gain or loss;
  • puberty starting too early or too late;
  • concerns about a thyroid problem.

Some signs can point to diabetes, Dr Kisyova warns. "The combination of strong thirst, frequent urination and weight loss should not be brushed aside, and a doctor's visit should not be put off," she says.

More and more children are overweight — and this isn't just about looks, the doctor says, nor is it something a child will simply grow out of. "Childhood obesity isn't just about looks. It can be a first step toward serious health problems even at a young age," Dr Kisyova says. She says extra weight can be a sign of a disrupted metabolism, insulin resistance, high blood pressure or changes in hormonal development.

When a family decides to change a child's habits, Dr Kisyova advises doing it together with the child, rather than leaving them to handle it alone. "Extremes don't work. What matters most is that the child feels supported, not criticised. Healthy habits built in childhood are an investment in health for life," she says.

Besides check-ups, Dr Galina Kisyova also does thyroid and abdominal ultrasounds. She works in the paediatric department of the "Trakia" University Hospital in Stara Zagora, and comes to the "Sveta Sofia" medical centre in Burgas from time to time.