Mazza Foundation Neuromuscular Program
Lurie Children’s Neuromuscular Program strives to provide individualized care for children of all ages with neuromuscular disease. Our team consists of clinical and research experts that are dedicated to developing new treatments for rare neuromuscular disorders. We take a multi-disciplinary approach to help address all of our patients needs. Our team consists of: Neurology, Cardiology, Pulmonary Medicine, Genetics, Bone Health, Orthopedics, Physical Therapy, Orthotics, Occupational Therapy, Nutrition and Social Work. We offer a multidisciplinary clinic that allows the patient to complete diagnostic testing, and meet with several specialists all in one day. We provide advanced clinical care and are motivated by research to provide the latest developments in treating many neuromuscular diseases. Our physicians work closely with research laboratories in an effort to discover the latest developments in Neuromuscular Medicine. We utilize advanced testing to help our clinicians diagnose many neuromuscular disorders. Our advanced diagnostic tools give us the ability to confirm a diagnosis through objective data. We offer testing that includes: electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction velocity (NCV), lumbar punctures, muscle biopsies and genetic testing to help our clinicians confidently secure a neuromuscular diagnosis.
Why Choose Lurie Children's?
Our program offers an advanced level of care for children suffering from muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy and other neuromuscular disorders. The program also trains future specialists, provides state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment resources, and advances cutting-edge research in this emerging field.
The program’s research team provides information to families and facilitates participation in clinical research trials. We are part of several research consortia investigating different steroid regimens, cardiac medications and nutritional supplements to provide our families with an opportunity to participate in trials that may improve health for children living with neuromuscular conditions.
We partner with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Prentice Women’s Hospital and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab to bring together an unprecedented level of expertise, offering new opportunities for collaboration not only in clinical care, but also in research and education. These partnerships with adult specialists helps ensure our patients have excellent care throughout childhood and adolescence, and a seamless transition into adult care.
We are part of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Clinic, which lets us benefit from the MDA’s extensive range of support services, patient education materials and multicenter research studies.
Neuromuscular Conditions We Treat
Our multi-disciplinary team of experts specializes in a wide range of neuromuscular disorders, including:
Muscular Dystrophies
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy
- Becker muscular dystrophy
- Myotonic dystrophy
- Congenital muscular dystrophies:
- Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy
- Bethlem congenital muscular dystrophy
- Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy
- Rigid spine syndromes
- FSHD (Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy)
- Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy
Motor Neuron Disease
Ion Channel Diseases
- Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis
- Hypokalemic periodic paralysis
- Myotonia congenita
- Becker myotonia
- Thomsen myotonia
Mitochondrial Diseases
- Fredreich’s ataxia
Myopathies
- Congenital myopathies
- Distal myopathies
- Endocrine myopathies
- Inflammatory myopathies
- Metabolic myopathies
- Myofibrillar myopathies
- Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (Mitochondrial myopathies)
Neuromuscular Junction Diseases
- Congenital myasthenic syndromes
- Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome
- Myasthenia gravis
Peripheral Nerve Disease
- Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Our Specialists
The following physicians, advanced practice providers and registered nurses specialize in treating children with neuromuscular disorders.
For information on the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Clinic team, visit our MDA specialists page.
Clinical Team
Nancy L. Kuntz, MD
Attending Physician, Division of Neurology; Medical Director, Mazza Foundation Neuromuscular Program; Director, Muscular Dystrophy Association Care Center
Abigail N. Schwaede, MD
Attending Physician, Neurology
Kristen Alianello, BSN-RN
Clinical Coordinator
Natalie Blackwood, BSN-RN
Kate Kennedy, BSN-RN
Social Work
Administrative Assistant
Make an Appointment
We offer several scheduling options for your child's care needs.
Our Location
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
225 E. Chicago Ave.Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.227.4000
About The Mazza Foundation
The Mazza Foundation has been committed to improving the lives of Chicagoans for more than 50 years. It provides vital funding for programs in healthcare, social services and education, as well as for cultural and religious organizations.
Neuromuscular Program News & Stories
The Spinal Muscular Atrophy Clinical Trial that Changed Koen’s Life
Noel and Keith are dedicated to teaching their son Koen to focus on the "cans" over the "cannots," after he was diagnosed with SMA.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA): New Treatments & Newborn Screening
Research is leading to a better understanding of the genetic basis for neuromuscular disorders, including SMA, and new approaches to treatment.
New Gene Therapy Trial for Severe Neuromuscular Disorder in Children
Drug Improves Muscle Function and Survival in Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Multidisciplinary Care Helps Darcie Thrive with Rare Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
Darcie was diagnosed with merosin deficient muscular dystrophy- a very rare form of congenital muscular dystrophy.
Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy Designates Lurie Children's, a Certified Duchenne Care Center
Philanthropy
Your support is vital in helping us continue to make a difference in the lives of patients and families. Lurie Children's relies on philanthropic funding to enhance its programs, services and research for children. To learn more, please e-mail the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation at foundation@luriechildrens.org or call 312.227.7500.