In this review, Hokken-Koelega and coworkers beautifully highlight the challenges of managing the care of patients when they move between paediatric and adult services. It describes the many factors that need to be considered, from differing medical diagnoses to coming to terms with issues such as loss of fertility during the teenage years, which can be difficult enough without also having to cope with a long term health condition.

The authors describe different models of care, but emphasise that one size does not fit all. They highlight the importance of developing multidisciplinary teams, sharing information between paediatric and adult services and developing trust and relationships with new healthcare providers, which are important for both patients and their parents. Discussion also touches on issues such as sexual health, contraception and drug use and misuse, subjects which are often avoided by paediatric and adult physicians alike.

As well as giving a good overview of the challenges involved in transitioning between paediatric and adult services, the authors provide food for thought when considering how we deliver our services.

Read the full article in Endocrine Connections 5 R44–R54