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Appointments 312.227.6260
Specialties & Conditions Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) Center of Excellence
Lurie Children’s is one of a handful of institutions in the country – and the first in Illinois – to offer a Pediatric Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) Center of Excellence accredited by the PCD Foundation.
Under the direction of Terri Laguna, MD, MSCS, Division Head of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine and a board-certified pediatric pulmonologist specialized in diagnosing and treating children with PCD, the Center serves as both a referral and care center for children with PCD across the region. The Center provides access to high-quality diagnostic tools and the spectrum of pediatric expertise required to care for children with this genetic disease (pulmonologists, cardiologists, otolaryngologists, neonatologists and pathologists), in addition to support team members with a focus on PCD (respiratory therapists, genetic counselors and nurses).
If your primary care provider suspects your child may have PCD, the pediatric PCD Center at Lurie Children’s can provide an expert diagnosis and treatment plan. We have the diagnostic tools available to make or confirm the diagnosis, and the clinical expertise to care for your child until the transition to adult care.
In addition to comprehensive, high-level clinical care, patients in Lurie Children’s PCD Center have access to ongoing, cutting edge translational research to better understand and characterize the mechanisms of PCD leading to personalized medicine and treatment in the future.
Primary ciliary dyskinesia is a genetic disease that causes cilia in the body to not move as they should, causing a build-up of mucus and recurrent infections in the ears, sinuses and lungs. Those diagnosed with PCD may also have abnormally placed organs within their chest and abdomen and may suffer heart issues.
Common symptoms of PCD that may warrant further diagnostic testing at a PCD Center of Excellence include:
Your child’s evaluation team will include Dr. Laguna as well as a team of multi-disciplinary specialists including a respiratory therapist, a genetic counselor and a nurse. The evaluation will include:
Your child will also be evaluated by a genetic counselor with specialized expertise in PCD in addition to a respiratory therapist with knowledge in advanced airway clearance techniques.
At the end of your evaluation, you will receive a preliminary diagnosis so that your child can begin treatment. Our team will follow up with a confirmed diagnosis once all of your child's laboratory test results are available.
If your child is diagnosed with PCD, our team will create a personalized treatment plan to manage your child's symptoms and help them stay active.
Your child’s treatment plan may include:
From left to right: Alexander Ing, MS, CGC; Joanne Salazar, RRT-NPS, CPFT; Mary Kate McIntyre, BSN, RN, CPN; Terri Laguna, MD, MSCS
To make an appointment with the PCD Center at Lurie Children’s, please call 312.227.6260 and ask to speak with the clinical office coordinator. Referrals from your physician can be faxed to 312.227.9420, Attn: Clinical Office Coordinator.
For additional information on PCD, visit the website below:
