Lurie Children's has been a leader in research and counseling for pregnant mothers for more than 30 years. Now thanks to rapid advances in imaging, genetics and the ability to diagnose fetal defects before birth, the need for these services is rapidly expanding. Lurie Children's staff members work closely with your obstetrical care team and your family pediatrician to plan the best care for your baby following delivery.
Leadership for the Institute is provided by Max Maizels, MD, and Marleta Reynolds, MD. Program coordination is provided by Christopher Talbot, MD. While Lurie Children’s does not provide obstetrical services, the staff works closely with your obstetrician at your local hospital. If your baby at birth needs specialized care that isn't available at your local hospital, Lurie Children's will work with you to arrange delivery at a hospital that that does provide it. And if you wish, you do not have to transfer your baby’s care to Lurie Children’s; a consultation may consist of only an information-gathering procedure.
Pregnant women may be referred by their treating physician or may refer themselves with a single phone call to Dr. Talbot, at 312.227.4724. He will obtain the clinical information from the patient and her physicians, and confer with the medical directors of the program to determine the appropriate specialties for consultation. The coordinator will then arrange the consultations and collect laboratory and medical records from doctors who have useful information about the issues facing the pregnancy.
Consultations are usually conducted in person but occasionally may be held over the phone under special circumstances. The coordinator is available to assist the patient in all aspects of the consultation process.
Consultation services by some of the physicians involved may also be available at Lurie Children's outpatient satellite offices in the Chicago area. Ask Dr. Talbot for details.
Furthermore, we welcome second opinions from others. Good doctors look at second opinions as an opportunity for the patient to receive confirmation of the diagnosis and benefit from a fresh perspective of treatment options.
We encourage the baby’s father to take an active part in consultations and decision-making. And your other children are also welcome during your visit as long as they don't have any communicable diseases (such as colds, flu, chickenpox, which are a danger to others). However, many parents find it easier to focus on the discussion if children are not present.
Specialties
Our comprehensive center encompasses the following medical and surgical specialties:
Anesthesiology - When surgery at the time of birth is anticipated
Cardiology - Heart and great vessels
Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery - Correction of heart and great vessels
Dermatology - Skin, hair and nails
Ear/Nose/Throat - Head and neck tumors, airway problems
Endocrinology - Hormones and metabolism
Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition - Digestion, nutrition, liver function, and neonatal hemochromatosis
Genetics, birth defects and metabolism - Metabolic disorders and inherited conditions
Hematology/Oncology - Blood and cancer
Medical Imaging - Fetal MRI and sonogram for special visualization
Rheumatology - Immune and musculoskeletal problems
Infectious Disease - Infections affecting baby before birth
Kidney Diseases - (Nephrology)
Neonatology (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) - the care of critically ill newborns
Neurology - Brain and nerve function
Neurosurgery - Spine, brain, and skull
Ophthalmology - Eye and socket
Orthopedics - Bones, joints, and spine
Pediatric Surgery - Neck, chest, abdomen and their contents
Plastic Surgery - Cleft lip/palate, face and hand
Pulmonary - Lung, cystic fibrosis
Transplants - Heart, kidney, liver and stem cells
Urology - Kidneys, bladder and external reproductive organs
Virtually all of the many surgical and medical specialties at Lurie Children's are available for prenatal consultation when problems have been identified. The program coordinator can answer questions about the scope of each specialty and the choice of consultants required.
Appointments
Call 1.800.543.7362 (1.800.KIDS DOC) to make an appointment at any location.