Why Choose CHOP for Bone Health

The Center for Bone Health at CHOP has provided comprehensive, multidisciplinary care to thousands of children and young adults with and at risk of fragile bones and disordered bone and mineral metabolism since 2008. Our team is experienced in caring for patients with all types of bone disease, ranging from common nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin D deficiency rickets to ultra-rare genetic disorders such as generalized arterial calcification of infancy. 

The center is within the Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, which has consistently been listed as the No. 3 pediatric endocrinology service by U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings of children’s hospitals. Our team members also closely collaborate with specialists throughout CHOP. Bone Health physicians attend several multidisciplinary clinics outside the Division of Endocrinology, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy, spinal muscle atrophy, single ventricle heart defects, complex vascular anomalies and childhood cancer as part of the Endocrine Late Effects of Childhood Cancer (ELECT) Program.

The Center for Bone Health also provides inpatient consultation to children and young adults are admitted to CHOP. Our institution recognizes the special needs of children with fragile bones and implemented the Fragile Bones Initiative throughout the hospital to identify patients at increased risk for fractures and emphasize safe handling precautions. We have created a clinical pathway for clinicians to follow when a new infant is suspected to have a condition that includes fragile bones. A notice of fragile bones is posted in the patient’s hospital room, alerting all care providers to follow guidelines that reduce the risk of fracture and a consult to the bone health team will be placed.