Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine

Adolescents and young adults are navigating exciting new opportunities and situations almost every day. Their bodies are changing; they’re making new friends and taking part in new life experiences.

The Adolescent and Young Adult Clinic at WVU Medicine Children’s is here to support teens (ages 10 to 26) during this exciting and sometimes confusing time. We offer specialized services and general primary care to help our patients grow into healthy, happy adults.

What to Expect

Here, teens are partners in their care. Our providers listen to their questions, challenges, and needs. We also invite parents to take part in their child’s care, but ultimately respect our patient’s privacy.

We understand that young adults have complex physical, emotional, and social health needs. That’s why our appointments run longer than the typical pediatrician. While all appointments are different, they usually have three parts. During the first few minutes, we invite parents and patients to talk to us together. Then, we meet privately with our patients to confidentially discuss questions or health needs. Finally, at the end of the exam, we ask parents to join us once again as we go over a treatment plan and next steps.

Treatments, Services, and Clinics

At our clinic, we work with providers, therapists, and specialists across many departments. This partnership ensures our patients get the care they need – quickly, conveniently, and comfortably.

Primary care for teens

Our primary care services go beyond a list of treatments available for adolescents and young adults. We build trust, respect, and confidence in their healthcare. Our primary care services include:

• Acute illness and injury treatment
• Development issues
• Health and nutrition counseling
• Hormonal birth control (for non-contraceptive health benefits)
• Immunizations
• Reproductive health (male, female and non-binary patients)
• Well exams

We also help young adults move into an adult primary care practice as they age out of our program.

Adolescent Gender and Sexual Development Multidisciplinary Clinic

The WVU Medicine Children’s Adolescent Gender and Sexual Development Multidisciplinary Clinic provides evidence-based medical and mental health care for gender diverse adolescents and young adults and those with variations in sexual development. For more information or to schedule an appointment with the multidisciplinary team, please call 304-598-4835.

Behavioral health for teens

When a young adult struggles with school, friendships, or at home, it can impact their physical, mental, and emotional health. We’re here to help restore our patients’ confidence. Our behavioral health services for adolescents and young adults include:

• ADHD
• Anxiety
• Depression

Complex and Chronic Medical Issues

Adolescents and young adults aren’t children, but they aren’t yet adults. Their health needs can be complex. This requires a specialist who understands a pre-teen, teen, or young adult’s changing body. We work with many patients who have chronic or complex conditions such as:

• Autism spectrum
• Chronic abdominal pain
• Chronic fatigue
• Headaches
• Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome

Eating disorders and teens

It’s estimated that 10 out of 100 young women will suffer from an eating disorder. The most common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Teens may also suffer from disordered eating, which includes poor eating habits, diet fads, or unrealistic weight goals.

At WVU Medicine Children’s, we understand these complex conditions and challenges. That’s why we offer collaborative care through our outpatient clinic. Patients and their family meet with medical providers, mental health providers, and nutritionists. We also offer consultations during inpatient medical stabilization stays.

Gynecology services for young adults

We offer gynecologic care for adolescents and young adults, including:

• Birth control (pills, patches, shots, rings, and Nexplanon placement, removal, and management)
• Emergency contraception
• Menstrual disorders
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Pre-exposure prophylaxis
• Reproductive health (male, female and non-binary patients)
• Sexually transmitted infection evaluation and treatment

Obesity care and support

Being overweight or obese isn’t anything to be embarrassed about. But it can impact a teen’s physical, mental, and emotional health. We offer specialized care, including:

• Medical management of obesity or overweight
• Nutrition services to encourage healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle

Substance abuse evaluation and referrals

Substance abuse can happen at any age. We connect our patients and families with support and resources they need.

Referrals

A formal referral is not required to schedule an appointment at the Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine Clinic at WVU Medicine Children’s. Physicians can contact the clinic for information. Parents or caregivers can schedule an appointment by calling 304-598-4835.

Locations