The Turner Syndrome Program at Lurie Children’s is a partnership between specialists with clinical and research expertise in the area of Turner syndrome. The integrated team aims to provide comprehensive care to pediatric patients with Turner syndrome, holistically treating the patient instead of addressing each symptom or issue separately. We also provide consultations to expectant parents with prenatal diagnosis of Turner syndrome in their unborn child. Our team includes specialists in the areas of endocrinology, cardiology, otolaryngology, audiology, genetics, kidney diseases, neuropsychiatry, nutrition, reproductive endocrinology and ophthalmology. Each of these specialists has dedicated expertise in caring for pediatric patients with Turner syndrome.
What is Turner Syndrome?
Turner syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by an abnormality of the X chromosome. One of the main features of Turner syndrome is short stature. Each person with Turner syndrome will have their own combination of symptoms and characteristics. Other common problems in youth may include heart problems, learning problems, hearing problems and difficulty going through puberty independently.
Why Choose Lurie Children's?
In the program, we consider all aspects of our patients’ lives to help them succeed in every area.
- We create an environment for families to see multiple providers on the same day.
- We team with parents to provide support needed for each of our patients to flourish.
- We educate our patients and their families with age-appropriate material on Turner syndrome.
- We offer education and materials on proper nutrition for children with Turner syndrome.
- We offer research opportunities to our patients as we strive to improve the care of individuals with Turner syndrome.
- We assist with the transition to adult care for adolescents and young adults.
Our program offers regularly-scheduled clinics each month, so that our patients can easily see multiple specialists on one day. This approach helps to improve ease of care and limits time off school. The clinic is offered on the fourth Monday of the month at Lurie Children's Outpatient Center in Lincoln Park. The clinic is offered on the first Tuesday of every other month at Lurie Children’s Northbrook Outpatient Center.
What to Expect
During your first visit to the program, you will meet with the team, including your endocrinologist, cardiologist and an otolaryngologist, if necessary. Our program’s dedicated scheduling staff will assist with setting up appointments so that you can meet your doctors on the same day for a full evaluation.
During your comprehensive first visit, we will create a recommended treatment plan, which are all tailored for each patient and their unique needs. Because we provide total care for each patient with Turner syndrome, no two treatment plans are exactly the same.
A benefit to visiting the Turner Syndrome Program at Lurie Children’s is that all of your child’s specialists are in-house and collaborate to treat each of your child’s needs. The team works together on all aspects of care to ensure the best possible outcomes.
The program offers the option to visit for a one-time consult, or to see our team’s specialists on an ongoing basis for comprehensive treatment.
Our Specialists
Our multidisciplinary team includes specialists that are dedicated to treating patients with Turner syndrome. The program is led by endocrinologists Reema Habiby, MD, and Wendy Brickman, MD, and cardiologist Sheetal Patel, MD.
Reema Habiby, MD, is an Attending Physician in the Division of Endocrinology and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She is board-certified in pediatric endocrinology and a member of The Turner Syndrome Society of the United States and the Turner Syndrome Special Interest Group (SIG) through the Pediatric Endocrine Society.
Wendy Brickman, MD, is an Attending Physician in the Division of Endocrinology and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Feinberg School of Medicine. She is board-certified in pediatric endocrinology, a member of The Turner Syndrome Society of the United States and one of the leaders of the Turner Syndrome Special Interest Group (SIG) through the Pediatric Endocrine Society.
Sheetal Patel, MD, is an Attending Physician in the Heart Center and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Feinberg School of Medicine. She is board-certified in pediatric cardiology and also performs fetal echocardiograms as part of the Lurie Children's Fetal & Neonatal Cardiology Program. Dr. Patel is a member of The Turner Syndrome Society of the United States and The Turner Syndrome Foundation. She is also the chair person for Council on Cardiology for Girls and Women affected by Turner Syndrome organized by The Turner Syndrome Foundation.
Lauren Robinson, RN, is Nurse Coordinator of the Turner Syndrome Program.
Danielle Lee, LCSW, is Program Manager of the Turner Syndrome Program.
Make an Appointment
Call the Division of Endocrinology to set up an appointment with our program.
Our Locations
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Lincoln Park
2515 N. Clark Street/467 W. Deming PlaceChicago, Illinois 60614-3393
1.800.543.7362
Lurie Children's Hospital Outpatient Center in Northbrook
1131 Techny RoadNorthbrook, Illinois 60062
312.227.7600
Resources & Support
Learn more about Turner syndrome by visiting the following helpful websites:
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