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Pediatric Endocrinology

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Appointments 1.800.543.7362 

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Care at 10 locations

Lurie Children's Specialties & Conditions Endocrinology

The Division of Endocrinology at Lurie Children’s treats more children with hormone (endocrine) disorders than any other hospital in Illinois. We are nationally known for our physicians’ expertise, high-quality patient care and state-of-the-art diagnostic testing. Our division is nationally-ranked by U.S.News & World Report for pediatric diabetes and endocrinology.

In partnership with La Rabida Children’s Hospital, our endocrinologists staff Chicago’s only pediatric diabetes program certified by the American Diabetes Association, demonstrating our high standards for diabetes care. We are committed to tracking important patient measures and working to prevent complications of the disease. We care for more than 2,000 patients with diabetes, making us one of the largest diabetes programs in the state.

Lurie Children’s also is the regional referral center for children with thyroid cancer.


Experience

Our entire staff is dedicated to evaluating and treating infants, children and teenagers. Our team includes:

  •     Board-certified pediatric endocrinologists
  •     Pediatric nurse practitioners
  •     Registered nurses
  •     Certified diabetes educators
  •     A registered dietician
  •     A social worker
  •     A clinical psychologist

We also work with other Lurie Children’s specialists, including:

The head of the division, Donald Zimmerman, MD, is the Mae and Benjamin Allen Founders Board Professor of Endocrinology at Lurie Children’s and a Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. A board-certified pediatric endocrinologist, Dr. Zimmerman has more than 30 years of experience in the field.

Meet The Team

 

Approach

Our programs include:

 We offer sophisticated diagnostic tests, such as:

  • High-resolution ultrasound guidance to biopsy (aspirate) thyroid nodules   
  • Provocative testing to suppress or stimulate the release of a particular hormone (dynamic endocrine testing)    
  • Growth hormone stimulation: Diagnoses growth hormone deficiency by measuring the blood’s hormone level blood after a child receives a medication that triggers the release of growth hormone, such as arginine amino acid    
  • Gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation: Identifies early (precocious) puberty

In addition to outpatient care, the team provides inpatient care at both Lurie Children’s main hospital and the neonatal intensive care unit at Prentice Women's Hospital.

We believe in family-centered care, which means we care for the whole family along with the patient. We will help you create a customized care plan for your child. We act as advocates in the community to ensure access to care and programs. We also work with schools to make sure that the facility is safe and prepared for the needs of children with diabetes and other endocrine disorders.

Additionally, we provide education, guidance and support to our patient families. Lurie Children’s offers many family services, including a program to help teens and their families transition from pediatric to adult care.

Patients and family members have the chance to participate in clinical trials and multicenter studies that are helping advance the treatment of endocrine disorders, including type 1 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and mother and child-related hormone disorders. Browse through our research to learn more about what we’re currently studying.

Conditions We Treat

Our physicians make every attempt to stay at the forefront of treatment advances, making sure they provide our patients with the best care possible. We take specialized and evidence-based approaches to diagnosing and treating children’s endocrinology conditions.

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Appointments

If you’d like to request an appointment with one of our endocrinologists, call 1.800.543.7362 (1.800.KIDS DOC®) or visit our Appointments page for more information. 

Research

Patients and family members have the chance to participate in clinical trials and multicenter studies that are helping advance the treatment of endocrine disorders, including type 1 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and mother and child-related hormone disorders.

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Resources & Support

We provide education, guidance and support to our patient families, including a program to help teens and their families transition from pediatric to adult care. Our specialists have compiled a list of helpful websites, as well as educational videos for people with diabetes.

Training & Education

We partner with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine​ to train tomorrow’s leading pediatric physicians. The Division of Endocrinology offers a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology. Review the Feinberg School’s information to learn how to apply.

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Philanthropy

Private contributions help support exciting new discoveries in our care and research. Gifts also allow us to hire talented healthcare professionals and train tomorrow’s specialists.

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.

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