I approach each child as if they were my own. I often ask myself, 'If this were my child, what would I want from my provider and the management plan?'
Deborah A. Elder, MD

About

Biography

During medical school, I was influenced by mentors and positive role models to enter the pediatrics field. As a pediatric endocrinologist and diabetes specialist, I approach each child as if they were my own. I often ask myself, “If this were my child, what would I want from my provider and the management plan?”

In my practice, I'm a strong patient advocate. I’m the lead endocrinologist within the Division of Pulmonology and Director of Endocrinology within the Pancreas Care Canter. I provide care for children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis and those with acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis.

TPIAT, or total pancreatectomy with islet auto transplantation, is surgery for severe, debilitating pain from acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis. We’ve created and utilized a TPIAT clinical registry to maintain better communication and management with our patients who have undergone this procedure.

I am studying beta-cell function in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis and those who are being evaluated for a TPIAT procedure.

In my spare time, I enjoy trying new recipes, gardening and spending time outdoors.

BS: Michigan State University, 1991.

MD: University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 1995.

Residency: Indiana University Riley Hospital For Children, Indianapolis, IN, 1998.

Fellowship: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 2001.

Certification: Pediatric endocrinology.

Interests

Type 1 diabetes; type 2 diabetes; cystic-fibrosis-related diabetes; assessment of beta-cell function in the evaluation of total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation (TPAIT) in children with chronic pancreatitis; growth disorders; precocious puberty; pancreatic center member; cystic fibrosis and endocrine combined clinic; lung transplantation center member.

Services and Specialties

Endocrinology, Pulmonary Medicine, Diabetes, Pancreas Care, Cystic Fibrosis Center

Interests

Beta-cell function and glucose tolerance in a variety of different diabetes conditions.

Research Areas

Endocrinology

Insurance Information

Cincinnati Children's strives to accept a wide variety of health plans. Please contact your health insurance carrier to verify coverage for your specific benefit plan.

View Insurance Information

Publications

1436-P: High Prevalence of Exocrine Pancreatic Dysfunction in Pediatric Subjects with Diabetes Mellitus. TATUM, JD; HORNUNG, L; ELDER, DA; SHAH, AS; ABU-EL-HAIJA, M. Diabetes. 2024; 73.

Real‐World Accuracy of a Continuous Glucose Monitoring System after Radiologic Exposure. Tellez, S; Hornung, L; Smith, E; Trout, A; Brady, S; Lowe, C; Courter, J; Abu-El-Haija, M; Elder, D. Pediatric Diabetes. 2024; 2024.

High Rate of Islets Autoimmunity in Pediatric Patients with Index Admission of Acute Pancreatitis. Tatum, JD; Hornung, L; Bellin, MD; Elder, DA; Thompson, T; Vitale, DS; Wasserfall, CH; Shah, AS; Abu-El-Haija, M. Pediatric Diabetes. 2023; 2023:1-9.

Endocrine Management and Clinical Outcomes in a Cohort of Pediatric Patients Undergoing Total Pancreatectomy with Islet Autotransplantation. Tellez, SE; Hornung, LN; Vitale, DS; Lawson, SA; Abu-El-Haija, MA; Elder, DA. Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics. 2023; 25:800-807.

Association of pancreatic fat on imaging with pediatric metabolic co-morbidities. Swauger, SE; Fashho, K; Hornung, LN; Elder, DA; Thapaliya, S; Anton, CG; Trout, AT; Abu-El-Haija, M. Pediatric Radiology: roentgenology, nuclear medicine, ultrasonics, CT, MRI. 2023; 53:2030-2039.

Diabetes-Related Quality of Life Assessment in Children following Total Pancreatectomy with Islet Autotransplantation. Redel, JM; Hornung, L; Elder, D; Nathan, JD; Corathers, S; Rich, KL; Abu-El-Haija, M. Pediatric Diabetes. 2023; 2023:1-8.

1481-P: Islet Cell Autoantibody Formation and Its Effect on Insulin Requirement after Total Pancreatectomy with Islet Autotransplantation (TPIAT). LAVIK, AR; LOWE, CM O; TELLEZ, SE; HORNUNG, L; HEINZMAN, C; NATHAN, JD; ABU-EL-HAIJA, M; ELDER, DA. Diabetes. 2023; 72.

Metabolic Outcomes in Pediatric Patients One-Year Post-Total Pancreatectomy with Islet Autotransplantation after Early Pump Initiation. Tellez, S; Hornung, L; Abu-El-Haija, M; Elder, D. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2023; 12.

Is There a Benefit From Islet Autotransplantation in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Undergoing Total Pancreatectomy?. Mun, KS; Nathan, JD; Lin, TK; Elder, DA; Jegga, AG; Naren, AP; Abu-El-Haija, M. Pancreas. 2022; 51:399-403.

Predictors of Glycemic Outcomes at 1 Year Following Pediatric Total Pancreatectomy With Islet Autotransplantation. Swauger, SE; Hornung, LN; Elder, DA; Balamurugan, AN; Vitale, DS; Lin, TK; Nathan, JD; Abu-El-Haija, M. Diabetes Care. 2022; 45:295-302.

Patient Ratings and Comments

All patient satisfaction ratings and comments are submitted by actual patients and verified by a leading independent patient satisfaction company, NRC Health. Patient identities are withheld to ensure confidentiality and privacy. Only those providers whose satisfaction surveys are administered through Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center are displayed. Click here to learn more about our survey

4.6
Overall Patient Rating