Developing Criteria for Pediatric/Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Programs abstract

The prevalence of morbid obesity in adolescents is rising at an alarming rate. Comorbidities known to predispose to cardiovascular disease are increasingly being diagnosed in these children. Bariatric surgery has become an acceptable treatment alternative for morbidly obese adults, and criteria have been developed to establish center-ofexcellence designation for adult bariatric surgery programs. Evidence suggests that bariatric surgical procedures are being performed with increasing numbers in adolescents. We have examined and compiled the current expert recommendations for guidelines and criteria that are needed to deliver safe and effective bariatric surgical care to adolescents. Pediatrics 2011;128:S65–S70 AUTHORS: Marc Michalsky, MD,a Robert E. Kramer, MD,b Michelle A. Fullmer, RD,c Michele Polfuss, PhD, RN, APNP-AC/PC,d Renee Porter, RN, CPNP,e Wendy WardBegnoche, PhD,f Elizabeth A. Getzoff, PhD,g Meredith Dreyer, PhD,h Stacy Stolzman, MPT,d and Kirk W. Reichard, MD, MBAi aDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; bDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado; Departments of cClinical Nutrition and iPediatric Surgery, Alfred I. duPont Institute, Wilmington, Delaware; dNEW (Nutrition, Exercise and Weight Management) Kids Program, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; eObesity Treatment Program, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado; fDivision of Pediatrics, Obesity Treatment Program, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas; gObesity Treatment Program, Mt Washington Pediatric Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland; and hWeight Management and General Pediatrics, Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City, Missouri