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UPMC Children's Community Pediatrics is an affiliate of UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.
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We offer care in 17 counties across Pennsylvania. Exceptional pediatric care is always close-to-home.
UPMC Children’s Express Care provides walk-in, after-hours care by board-certified pediatricians on evening and weekends.
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After a diagnosis of Bell’s palsy, Sophie found the courage to compete at a gymnastics event with the help of her care provider.
Dr. Friedlander did not discredit our concerns and we are incredibly thankful to have a pediatrician who listens.
New to having a child with disabilities, Lori became educated and confident in caring for her daughter by listening to Dr. Gotkiewicz’s explanations and expertise.
UPMC Children's Community Pediatrics is asking our patients and their families to share their best stories of care with us.
UPMC Children's Community Pediatrics received The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for ambulatory health care and primary care medical home.
UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics is part of UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, ranked 8th in the nation overall by U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Honor Roll for Best Children’s Hospitals.
As pediatricians, parents often ask us about the thyroid and how it may be affecting their children. Could it be responsible for fatigue? Weight gain or weight loss? Mood changes? While these symptoms could be due to other health issues, the thyroid could be the cause. To gain a better understanding, let’s take a look at what the thyroid is responsible for and what can happen if it is not functioning properly.
A butterfly-shaped organ in the middle of the neck, the thyroid is a gland responsible for producing a number of hormones (thyroid hormones) that are released into the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body. Its function is controlled by the pituitary gland, located in the brain.
Thyroid hormones act on every cell in the body to help regulate metabolism, growth and development, and body temperature. Normal levels of thyroid hormone are especially essential during infancy and early childhood for normal brain development, which is why thyroid function is part of newborn screening tests.
There are a few conditions that may occur if the thyroid isn’t functioning properly:
These conditions may or may not cause medical issues, so it’s important to be evaluated by a medical provider.
Hypothyroidism is very common, occurring in about 1 in 1,250 children. It can be present at birth (congenital hypothyroidism), or develop later in childhood or adulthood (acquired hypothyroidism).
Unfortunately, the symptoms of hypothyroidism are non-specific, can develop slowly over time, and overlap with those of other conditions. They include:
Hypothyroidism can result from problems with either the thyroid or pituitary gland. These problems include a deficiency present at birth, damage from an immune system antibody attack (autoimmune), injury/surgery, or exposure to certain medications, radiation and substances. The most common cause in children and teens is an autoimmune process affecting the thyroid gland.
Hyperthyroidism is much less common in children than in adults and significantly rarer in this age group than hypothyroidism. Similarly, it can be present at birth (congenital) or develop as a child ages (acquired).
The symptoms of hyperthyroidism can also overlap those of other medical conditions and develop over time. They include:
Mirroring hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism can result from the same causes affecting either the thyroid or pituitary gland. The most common cause is also the same – an autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland itself.
If you feel as though your child or teen may be experiencing a thyroid issue, speak with your pediatrician. A complete history and physical exam, along with a simple blood test, are the first steps to finding the answer. If a thyroid problem is diagnosed, an endocrinologist will be consulted. There are many safe and effective treatments, such as hormone replacement, which can be directed by your medical team and will control the symptoms.
With our Patient Portals, you can easily manage your child’s health online with 24/7 access to their medical record.
Learn more about UPMC Patient Portals.
By visiting UPMC Children’s Express Care, our after-hours clinic, your child will receive the same specialized pediatric care you’ve come to expect from your UPMC Children's Community Pediatrics pediatrician. Open conveniently on evenings and weekends, your child can receive care for minor injuries and illnesses when your pediatrician’s office is closed for the day.
Learn more about our services or find a location near you.
In the case of a serious emergency, call 911 or go to the emergency room.
Paying your bill has never been easier. UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics offers you an easy and secure method for paying bills online for well and sick appointments as well as behavioral health visits.
Pay Your Bill Online
For questions regarding your billing statement, please call the UPMC CCP Billing Office at 1-888-857-7646 or email CCPBilling@chp.edu.
Are you passionate about caring for children? UPMC Children's Community Pediatrics offers the opportunity for you to apply your unique skills in pediatric medicine and to make an impact on children’s lives.
We are seeking candidates for full-time, part-time, casual, and temporary positions at our locations throughout 12 counties in western Pennsylvania.
To apply, visit the UPMC Careers website.
UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics Stonewood Commons II 103 Bradford Road, Suite 200 Wexford, PA 15090
For administrative inquiries, please call 724-933-1100 or 1-888-857-7646.
Should a concern about your experience at UPMC CCP arise, please discuss it with your child’s pediatrician. If the concern remains unresolved, please email your concern to our patient relations specialist at ccpconfidential@chp.edu. We will investigate your concern and provide you with a response. Contacting our patient relations specialist will not negatively affect your care.