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Complex Clinical Obesity Assessment Service

Referrals

  • When to refer

    The RCH Complex Obesity Assessment Service is a quaternary multidisciplinary service providing assessment for children and young people with complex clinical obesity and neurodevelopmental disability.

    Referral criteria (all criteria must be met):

    • Age <17 years at time of referral
    • BMI ≥ 95th percentile  
    • Neurodevelopmental or physical disability (such as intellectual disability, level 2-3 autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, genetic or neuromuscular conditions) OR other medical diagnosis necessitating ongoing specialist paediatric care 
    • A diagnosed obesity related comorbidity requiring tertiary hospital care (as specified below):

    Comorbidity Criteria Referrals to be considered by the referring doctor in addition to Complex Clinical Obesity Service referral
    Metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease ALT higher than 2x the upper laboratory limit Gastroenterology
    Pre diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance HbA1c ≥5.8 and <6.5% If HbA1c ≥ 6.5%, urgent medical assessment and referral to Endocrinology is required 
    Hyperlipidaemia
    • Total cholesterol > 6
    • LDL cholesterol > 3.5
    		 Metabolic medicine if suspected familial hypercholesterolaemia as per RCH FH clinical practice guideline
    Hypertension

    As evidenced by serial measurements (3) or on 24-hour ABPM with an appropriate sized cuff 

    As per RCH hypertension clinical practice guideline     		Nephrology
    Obstructive sleep apnoea Demonstrated on overnight oximetry or formal sleep study (PSG) Respiratory Medicine
    Orthopaedic  SUFE

    Orthopaedics

    Physiotherapist and/or exercise physiologist
    Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH)  

    Neurology 

    Ophthalmology   

    Baseline data to be included in referral:

    • Weight (kg), height (cm) and BMI (kg/m2) collected within last three (3) months and additional serial measurements if available
    • Results of investigations demonstrating obesity related comorbidity
    • Standard medical history and physical examination, including blood pressure with an appropriately sized BP cuff 
    • Psychosocial history

    How to refer

    • For internal referrals, please complete an Referral to Outpatient Clinical Obesity on EMR
    • For external referrals, please fax your referral to Specialist Clinics on (03) 9345 5034. Please note, we are unable to accept referrals via email. Click here to download a referral form

    Clinical advice

    If your referral does not meet the eligibility criteria but you would like it to be considered as an exception, or if you require clinical advice, please contact us on 9345 4765 or clinical.obesity@rch.org.au to discuss.