Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Program
If your child has congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), their body may make too much of some essential hormones and not enough of others. The good news is they can avoid serious illness and continue to thrive when they are treated by specialists, like those in our Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Program here at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
In our program, your child with CAH will receive an expert evaluation and treatment plan. While an experienced endocrinologist will manage overall care, we bring in experts from across the hospital to address a person with CAH’s changing needs, from infancy to young adult life. In cases where your child is diagnosed with CAH before birth, we consult with you while you are expecting to discuss what to anticipate when having a child with CAH, and share how we coordinate care around birth.
The CAH Program is part of CHOP’s Adrenal and Puberty Center, and is recognized as a Comprehensive Center of Excellence by CARES Foundation.
How we serve you
The CAH team at CHOP will develop an individualized management plan that best fits your child’s needs. Depending on the type and severity of CAH, some children may require lifelong medical treatment and close monitoring, while children with the mild form of CAH may not need any treatment.
Why choose CHOP for CAH care
CAH is a rare disease and experience matters. We are at the forefront of new and improved ways to care for patients (clinical innovations). Our dedicated team of experts from different specialties (multidisciplinary team) works together to provide compassionate, family-centered care.
Meet your team
Because CAH can impact areas of the body beyond the adrenal gland, your child has access to clinicians and counselors from Endocrinology, Psychology, Genetics, Urology, Social Work and Reproductive Medicine.
Our locations
You can visit staff from the Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Program at various regional locations.
Our research
We are committed to bringing new therapies and innovations to our patients. We participate in clinical trials, many resulting in new treatments, like Crenessity. Your CHOP provider can help determine if you or your child would be a good candidate to participate. We also collaborate with other CAH centers across the country to examine how CAH may affect growth, puberty, overall health and quality of life.
CHOP works with patient support groups, like the CARES Foundation, which seeks to improve the lives of people with CAH and advance quality healthcare through advocacy, education, research and support.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Program resources
We have created resources to help you find answers to your CAH questions and feel confident with the care you are providing your child.
Patient stories
What to expect at your appointment
After your child's initial appointment with the CAH Program, they will return for follow-up visits every three months. We use this time to review recent blood test results and provide guidance to your child and family on how to best manage this rare, genetic condition.
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