Clinical Focus


  • Pediatric Endocrinology

Academic Appointments


Professional Education


  • Fellowship: Stanford University Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship (2017) CA
  • Residency: UCSF Pediatric Residency (2013) CA
  • Medical Education: University of California Davis School of Medicine (2010) CA
  • Board Certification: American Board of Pediatrics, Pediatric Endocrinology (2017)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Pediatrics, Pediatrics (2015)

All Publications


  • The safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation in benign pediatric thyroid disease in the US: An initial case series. Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology Kim, G. S., Seeley, H., Noel, J., Ahmad, I., Meister, K. 2024; 9 (1): e1198

    Abstract

    To evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for benign nonfunctional thyroid nodules or functional lingual thyroid gland in a pediatric population.Four pediatric patients (four female; mean age 13.50 ± 4.04, range 8-17 years) with either benign thyroid nodules or mildly obstructive lingual thyroid glands were treated with RFA from 2020 to 2021 were evaluated. The inclusion criteria for RFA therapy were (i) age < 18 years; (ii) benign cytopathological results on ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration; (iii) pressure or pain symptoms caused by the thyroid nodules; (iv) dysphagia or obstruction caused by the lingual thyroid tissue; (v) follow up for >6 months with otolaryngology or endocrinology.Two patients had benign non-functioning thyroid nodules and two had mildly obstructive functioning lingual thyroid glands. Mean follow up was 10.75 ± 4.79 months. Each patient underwent one RFA session with no complications. For the patients with thyroid nodules, there was >74% reduction in nodule size at last follow up with improvement in neck swelling and pain. For the patients with lingual thyroid glands, both did not have any other functional thyroid gland identified. Both had visible decrease in size of the gland as visualized transorally with improvement in dysphagia and obstructive symptoms when lying flat.RFA is a safe and effective option for managing benign thyroid nodules and lingual thyroid glands in a pediatric patient population.4.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/lio2.1198

    View details for PubMedID 38362180

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10866600

  • Use of Neoadjuvant Vandetanib in Aggressive Pediatric Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma. JCO precision oncology Kothari, R., Kreimer, S., Nadel, H., Seeley, H., Hartman, G., Meister, K. D. 2024; 8: e2300257

    Abstract

    Novel use of vandetanib in a child with aggressive MTC with prolonged response to treatment.

    View details for DOI 10.1200/PO.23.00257

    View details for PubMedID 38207224

  • Parathyroid Autofluorescence in Pediatric Thyroid Surgery: Experience With False Positive and False Negative Results. Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Su-Velez, B. M., Hartman, G. E., Seeley, H., Orloff, L. A., Noel, J. E., Meister, K. D. 2023

    Abstract

    Devices for near-infrared light stimulation of autofluorescence (NIRAF) allow for intraoperative identification of parathyroid glands with high sensitivity in adults. However, their performance in the pediatric population is unknown. In this case series with chart review at a tertiary academic children's hospital, we investigated pediatric patients undergoing thyroid surgery and concurrent use of a probe-based NIRAF device. Thirteen patients (ages 6-18 years) underwent thyroid and/or neck dissection procedures, and 2 patients had revision procedures for a total of 15 cases with the NIRAF device. Eight cases had NIRAF values that matched surgeon opinion of parathyroid tissue or histology when available. Six cases had false positive NIRAF readings (40.0%) and 1 case had false negative readings (6.7%). Compared with surgeon opinion or histology, the NIRAF device confirmed 26 of 34 parathyroid gland candidates (76.5%). These devices need further investigation in pediatric patients, whose tissues may have different autofluorescence characteristics.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/ohn.272

    View details for PubMedID 36939554

  • Parathyroid Autofluorescence in Pediatric Thyroid Surgery: Experience With False Positive and False Negative Results OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY Su-Velez, B. M., Hartman, G. E., Seeley, H., Orloff, L. A., Noel, J. E., Meister, K. D. 2023

    View details for DOI 10.1002/ohn.272

    View details for Web of Science ID 000921354900001

  • Sociodemographic Disparities in the Diagnostic Management of Pediatric Thyroid Nodules. JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery Moon, P. K., Qian, Z. J., Noel, J. E., Orloff, L. A., Seeley, H., Hartman, G. E., Josephs, S., Meister, K. D. 2022

    Abstract

    Importance: Thyroid cancer is the most common pediatric endocrine malignant neoplasm. Disparities in the workup of thyroid nodules may be significantly associated with thyroid cancer outcomes.Objective: To determine the association of sociodemographic factors with the odds of receiving a biopsy, timeliness of the procedure, and risk of nodule malignancy.Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study using insurance claims data from the Optum Clinformatics Data Mart database. The study cohort comprised pediatric patients diagnosed with single thyroid nodules between 2003 and 2020. Data analysis was performed from January 1, 2003, to June 30, 2020.Main Outcomes and Measures: Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify demographic variables associated with biopsy and nodule malignant neoplasm. A multivariable linear regression model was used to assess the time between thyroid nodule diagnosis and biopsy.Results: Of 11 643 children (median [IQR] age at diagnosis or procedure, 15 [12-17] years; 8549 [73.2%] were female and 3126 [26.8%] were male) diagnosed with single thyroid nodules, 2117 (18.2%) received a biopsy. Among the patients who received a biopsy, 304 (14.4%) were found to have a malignant nodule. Greater parental education was associated with a shorter diagnosis-to-biopsy interval (mean difference, -7.24 days; 95% CI, -13.75 to -0.73). Older age at nodule diagnosis (odds ratio [OR], 1.11; 95% CI, 1.09-1.13) and female gender (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.11-1.40) were associated with increased odds of receiving a biopsy, while Black/African American (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.65-0.99) and Hispanic (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.72-0.99) patients had lower odds of receiving a biopsy compared with White patients. Finally, female gender (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.80-1.47) was not associated with lower odds of nodule malignant neoplasm.Conclusions and Relevance: Findings of this cross-sectional study highlight disparities in the diagnostic management of pediatric thyroid nodules. These results call for future work to ensure equitable access to thyroid care for all children.

    View details for DOI 10.1001/jamaoto.2022.3167

    View details for PubMedID 36227590

  • Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and the Presence of Other Autoimmune Disease JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS Seeley, H. H., Maahs, D. M. 2020; 223: 19-+
  • LEG LEAN MASS IS CORRELATED WITH BONE MINERAL DENSITY IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES Seeley, H., Long, J., Bachrach, L., Wilson, D. M., Leonard, M. KARGER. 2017: 418