IDEAL Clinic Referral Guidelines
Children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 18 may be referred to the IDEAL Clinic (Obesity Program) at Children’s National.
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Explore Referral Guidelines Criteria
Patients with Class 2 or 3 obesity
For whom outpatient management in primary care or with a dietitian (6 months) has been ineffective in achieving BMI reduction should be referred to IDEAL Clinic.
Patients with Class 1 obesity are more likely to respond to dietary and lifestyle modifications and can be referred after one year of ineffective outpatient management. The goal is to ensure patient and family engagement in pediatric weight management.
Patients with Class 1 obesity are more likely to respond to dietary and lifestyle modifications and can be referred after one year of ineffective outpatient management. The goal is to ensure patient and family engagement in pediatric weight management.
Patients who are 18 years of age or older without developmental delay
Should only be referred to IDEAL Clinic if they are interested in bariatric surgery.
If the patient is interested in medication management, they can be referred to an adult weight management clinic.
If the patient is interested in medication management, they can be referred to an adult weight management clinic.
Patients with the following comorbidities can be referred without a trial of outpatient management
- Elevated HbA1c ≥ 6% or elevated FPG ≥ 100
- Significant dyslipidemia in lipid panel
- Elevated ALT ≥ 80
- Other obesity related comorbidities
Referral Labs and Documents
- Fasting lipid panel, insulin
- CMP, HgbA1c, TSH, 25-OH
Vitamin D - Growth charts
- Clinical notes explaining reason for referral (documenting ineffective BMI reduction in primary care or comorbidities of concern)
Outpatient Appointment Referral Pads
Children's National Hospital offers convenient outpatient locations for specialty care. To help connect your patients with our specialists, please complete the form to request a referral pad from your physician liaison.