David R. Weber, M.D., M.S.

In addition to general endocrinology and diabetes, I have a special interest in pediatric bone health. This includes patients with genetic and metabolic bone disease, as well as acquired forms of osteoporosis due to medication exposure or chronic disease.

Research

My research is focused on investigating the relationships between body composition, bone health, and chronic disease in the pediatric population. While obesity related to caloric imbalance may be the greatest risk factor for the development of cardiometabolic disease in childhood; there are also growing numbers of children who are survivors of serious childhood disease who may be at risk for the development of cardiometabolic complications. Traditional measures of adiposity such as body mass index (BMI) or percent body fat may not be accurate in these populations. My research collaborators and I have developed techniques for the use of dual energy Xray absorptiometry (DXA) to independently assess fat and lean body mass index in children. We are currently using these methods to better understand the relationship between body composition and cardiometabolic disease in a variety of childhood disorders.

Additionally, I have a specific interest in the effect of type 1 diabetes on bone health. Using a large population based electronic medical record, my collaborators and I have shown that patients with type 1 diabetes have an increased risk of fracture throughout their lives. The reason for this is poorly understood, but may be related to impaired bone formation during adolescence and young adulthood. The incidence of type 1 diabetes is highest during childhood, which is also a critical time period for bone accrual. We are currently conducting a longitudinal study of bone accrual in children and adolescents newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The ultimate goal of this research is to better understand the reasons for impaired bone health in patients with type 1 diabetes so that we can develop and evaluate therapeutic interventions aimed at improving bone strength.

Credentials

Specialties

Pediatrics - American Board of Pediatrics
Pediatric Endocrinology - American Board of Pediatrics

Education

2002
BA | Carleton College
Biology

2007
MD | University of Kansas School of Medicine
Medicine

2013
MS | University of Pennsylvania
Clinical Epidemiology

Post-doctoral Training & Residency

07/01/2010 - 06/30/2013
Fellowship in Pediatric Endocrinology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

07/01/2008 - 06/30/2010
Residency in Pediatrics at Yale New Haven Hospital

07/01/2007 - 06/30/2008
Internship in Pediatrics at Yale New Haven Hospital

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Awards

2016
Young Investigator Travel Grant - ASBMR

2015
John Haddad Young Investigator Award
Sponsor: American Society for Bone and Mineral Research

2015
Helmsley Charitable Trust Abstract Awards in Type 1 Diabetes

2013
ASBMR President's Poster Award for Exceptional Abstract Presentation

2013
Endocrine Fellows Foundation Preceptorship in Bone Diseases
Sponsor: Columbia University

2013
Poster Day Award in Patient Oriented Research
Sponsor: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Location: Philadelphia, PA

2013
Research Trainee Award Finalist
Sponsor: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Location: Philadelphia, PA

2012
Tom Moshang Research Award
Sponsor: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Location: Philadelphia, PA

2012
Endocrine Trainee Day Travel Award

2011
Endocrine Fellows Foundation Forum on Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Disease

2011
Pediatric Endocrine Society Travel Award

2006
First Place Award for Retrospective Studies
Sponsor: KUMC Student Research Forum

2002
Magna Cum Laude
Sponsor: Carleton College

2002
Southern Society for Pediatric Research Travel Award

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Publications

Journal Articles

5/2018
Birnkrant DJ, Bushby K, Bann CM, Apkon SD, Blackwell A, Colvin MK, Cripe L, Herron AR, Kennedy A, Kinnett K, Naprawa J, Noritz G, Poysky J, Street N, Trout CJ, Weber DR, Ward LM, . "Diagnosis and management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, part 3: primary care, emergency management, psychosocial care, and transitions of care across the lifespan." The Lancet. Neurology.. 2018 May 0; 17(5):445-455. Epub 2018 Feb 02.

4/2018
Birnkrant DJ, Bushby K, Bann CM, Alman BA, Apkon SD, Blackwell A, Case LE, Cripe L, Hadjiyannakis S, Olson AK, Sheehan DW, Bolen J, Weber DR, Ward LM, . "Diagnosis and management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, part 2: respiratory, cardiac, bone health, and orthopaedic management." The Lancet. Neurology.. 2018 Apr 0; 17(4):347-361. Epub 2018 Feb 03.

3/2018
Birnkrant DJ, Bushby K, Bann CM, Apkon SD, Blackwell A, Brumbaugh D, Case LE, Clemens PR, Hadjiyannakis S, Pandya S, Street N, Tomezsko J, Wagner KR, Ward LM, Weber DR, . "Diagnosis and management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, part 1: diagnosis, and neuromuscular, rehabilitation, endocrine, and gastrointestinal and nutritional management." The Lancet. Neurology.. 2018 Mar 0; 17(3):251-267. Epub 2018 Feb 03.

Books & Chapters

2016
Chapter Title: Body composition assessment
Book Title: Metabolic Syndrome
Author List: Weber DR, Zemel BS
Edited By: Ahima, RS
Published By: Springer International Publishing2016

2010
Chapter Title: Normal and Delayed Pubertal Development
Book Title: Yale Curriculum in Primary Care Pediatrics
Author List: Weber DR, Brodsky JL, Carpenter TO
Edited By: Talwalkar JS & Fenick AM, eds
Published By: Yale2010 in New Haven, CT

2010
Chapter Title: Precocious Puberty
Book Title: Yale Curriculum in Primary Care Pediatrics
Author List: Weber DR, Brodsky JL, Carpenter TO
Edited By: Talwalkar JS & Fenick AM, eds
Published By: Yale2010 in New Haven, CT

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