Lindsey G. Albenberg, DO

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Lindsey G. Albenberg, DO, is an attending physician in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and a member of the research team in the Center for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Areas of Expertise: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Diet and inflammatory bowel disease, Enteral nutritional therapy for Crohn's disease, Inflammatory bowel disease in adolescents, Inflammatory bowel disease and transition to adulthood
Locations: Specialty Care, Lancaster; Main Hospital; Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care

Book appointment 215-590-7423

Background

Dr. Albenberg builds strong relationships with patients, understanding that each patient is an individual who requires a personalized approach to care.

In fact, for treatment purposes, Dr. Albenberg might consider each patient as a whole community: the human patient, plus the countless microorganisms that live in that person’s gastrointestinal system — a community, known as the gut microbiome, unique to each human.

“The GI tract is amazing!” she says. “It is responsible for the digestion and absorption of food. Additionally, it is home to trillions of bacteria that play an important role in keeping us healthy. The GI tract also has its own nervous system that we like to call the ‘mini-brain.’"

Dr. Albenberg is particularly interested in gastrointestinal conditions “that are thought to arise from alterations or changes in the gut bacteria,” such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). “I am also interested in conditions where nutrition can be used as part of the therapeutic approach,” she notes.

Her research agenda focuses on the impact of the gut microbiome in pediatric health and disease. “I am particularly interested in the effect diet has on the gut microbiome,” she says.

“We are learning so much every day about the gut microbiome. I am excited by the prospect of treating diseases by changing the microbiome with therapies like antibiotics, probiotics and diet.”

Research fascinates Dr. Albenberg, but forging long-term relationships with her patients and their families is her favorite part of the job. “I hope every patient and family feel their concerns were listened to,” she says, “and I hope families leave CHOP understanding how much we care about our patients.”

For Dr. Albenberg, focusing so much energy on caring for her patients yields invaluable rewards: “Watching my patients grow up and succeed despite their medical problems is the absolute best!”

Education and Training

Medical School

DO - Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, MO

Residency

Pediatrics - University of Missouri School of Medicine/Children’s Mercy Hospitals & Clinics, Kansas City, MO

Pediatrics (Chief Resident) - Children’s Mercy Hospitals & Clinics, Kansas City, MO

Fellowship

Pediatric Gastroenterology (Co-chief Fellow) - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Board Certification

Pediatric Gastroenterology – American Board of Pediatrics
Pediatrics – American Board of Pediatrics

Titles and Academic Titles

Attending Physician

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Conditions Treated

Departments and Services

Publications

Papers

2019

Kastl AJ Jr, Terry NA, Wu GD, Albenberg LG. The Structure and Function of the Human Small Intestinal Microbiota: Current Understanding and Future Directions. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019 Jul 22;9(1):33-45. doi: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2019.07.006. [Epub ahead of print] Review. PMID: 31344510

Albenberg L, Brensinger CM, Wu Q, Gilroy E, Kappelman MD, Sandler RS, Lewis JD. A Diet Low in Red and Processed Meat Does Not Reduce Rate of Crohn's Disease Flares. Gastroenterology. 2019 Jul;157(1):128-136.e5. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.03.015. Epub 2019 Mar 11. PMID: 30872105

Breton J, Kastl A, Hoffmann N, Rogers R, Grossman AB, Mamula P, Kelsen JR, Baldassano RN, Albenberg L. Efficacy of Combination Antibiotic Therapy for Refractory Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2019 Aug 20;25(9):1586-1593. doi: 10.1093/ibd/izz006. PMID: 30715364

2016

Wu GD, Compher C, Chen EZ, Smith SA, Shah RD, Bittinger K, Chehoud C, Albenberg LG, Nessel L, Gilroy E, Star J, Weljie AM, Flint HJ, Metz DC, Bennett MJ, Li H, Bushman FD, Lewis JD: Comparative metabolomics in vegans and omnivores reveal constraints on diet-dependent gut microbiota metabolite production. Gut 65(5): 63-72, Jan 2016.

2015

Lewis JD, Chen EZ, Baldassano RN, Otley AR, Griffiths AM, Lee D, Bittinger K, Bailey A, Friedman ES, Hoffmann C, Albenberg L, Sinha R, Compher C, Gilroy E, Nessel L, Grant A, Chehoud C, Li H, Wu GD, Bushman FD: Inflammation, Antibiotics, and Diet as Environmental Stressors of the Gut Microbiome in Pediatric Crohn's Disease. Cell Host & Microbe 18(4): 489-500, Oct 2015 Notes: EISSN: 1934-6069.

Lee D, Baldassano RN, Otley AR, Albenberg L, Griffiths AM, Compher C, Chen EZ, Li H, Gilroy E, Nessel L, Grant A, Chehoud C, Bushman FD, Wu GD, Lewis JD: Comparative Effectiveness of Nutritional and Biological Therapy in North American Children with Active Crohn's Disease. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases 21(8): 1786-93, Aug 2015 Notes: doi: 10.1097/MIB.0000000000000426

Chehoud C, Albenberg LG, Judge C, Hoffmann C, Grunberg S, Bittinger K, Baldassano RN, Lewis JD, Bushman FD, Wu GD: Fungal Signature in the Gut Microbiota of Pediatric Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases 21(8): 1948-56, Aug 2015.

Shen Ting-Chin D, Albenberg L, Bittinger K, Chehoud C, Chen Y-Y, Judge CA, Chau L, Ni J, Sheng M, Lin A, Wilkins BJ, Buza EL, Lewis JD, Daikhin Y, Nissim I, Yudkoff M, Bushman FD, Wu GD: Engineering the gut microbiota to treat hyperammonemia. The Journal of Clinical Investigation 125(7): 2841-50, Jul 2015.

2014

Albenberg L, Esipova TV, Judge CP, Bittinger K, Chen J, Laughlin A, Grunberg, S, Baldassano RN, Lewis JD, Li H, Thom SR, Bushman FD, Vinogradov SA, Wu GD.: Correlation Between Intraluminal Oxygen Gradient and Radial Partitioning of Intestinal Microbiota in Human Beings and Mice. Gastroenterology 147(5): 1055-1063, November 2014 Notes: pii: S0016-5085(14)00916-0. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2014.07.020. [Epub ahead of print]

2013

Gupta K, Noble A, Kachelries KE, Albenberg L, Kelsen JR, Grossman AB, Baldassano RN. A novel enteral nutrition protocol for the treatment of pediatric Crohn’s disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2013 Jun; 19(7):1374-8.

Albenberg L and Wu GD: Long-term dietary patterns in gut microbiota enterotypes. Functional Food Reviews 5(1), 2013 Notes: In press.

Abstracts

2012

Albenberg L, Judge CP, Esipova TV, Sinha R, Bailey A, Bittinger K, Grunberg S, Chen J, Bhopale VM, Baldassano RN, Lewis JD, Li H, Thom SR, Bushman FD, Vinogradov SA and Wu GD: Biological Oximetry Using Phosphorescence Quenching Reveals a Dynamic Oxygen Equilibrium Maintained Between the Gut Microbiota and the Host. Poster Presentation CCFA Advances in IBD December 2012.

Muir A, Albenberg L, Lin H: Evaluation or Resident Education on a GI Inpatient Service. Oral Presentation. NASPGHAN October 2012.

Albenberg L, Spengler C, Klink AJ, Mattei P, Baldassano RN, Mamula P, and Kelsen JR: Diverting Ileostomy for the Treatment of Severe, Refractory, Indeterminate Colitis. Poster Presentation NASPGHAN October 2012.

Muir A, Albenberg L, Lin H: Teaching GI to Pediatric Residents. Poster Presentation Digestive Diseases Week May 2012.

Books

Chapters

2016

Albenberg L, Evans J, Piccoli DA, Terry NA: Protracted Diarrhea. Pediatric Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. Wylie R, Hyams JS, Kay M (eds.). Elsevier, Inc. Fifth Edition: 376-388, 2016.

2014

Albenberg L, Kelsen J, Baldassano RN: Pediatric Issues in Treating Ulcerative Colitis. Medical Therapy of Mucosal Ulcerative Colitis. Lichtenstein G (eds.). Page: 281-290, October 2014.

2013

Albenberg L, Baldassano RN: What is the Current Understanding of the Etiology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)? Curbside Consultation in Pediatric GI. Athos Bousvaros and Joel Rosh (eds.). Slack, Inc., Thorofare, NJ, Section VIII: 201-202, February 2013.

Albenberg L, Brown KA, Baldassano RN, Mamula: Colitis in Infancy and Childhood. Pathology of Pediatric Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. Pierre Russo, Eduardo Ruchelli, and David Piccoli (eds.). 2013.

Posters and Presentations

2015

Conrad M, Stein R, Maxwell EC, Albenberg L, Baldassano R, Grossman AB, Mamula P, Piccoli D, Delsen JR: The Use of Vedolizumab for Treatment of Severe Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Poster Presentation. Digestive Disease Week, Washington, DC May 2015 Notes: Oral presentation by collaborator Stein R.

2014

Jump C, Sahn B, Wendel D, Muir AB, Fish S, Augustine M, Ballantine A, Lin HC, Albenberg L: Teaching Residents GI in a "Flipped Classroom" on an Inpatient Pediatric Gastroenterology Rotation.  Poster Presentation. Digestive Disease Week, Chicago, IL May 2014.

Albenberg LG, Chehoud C, Judge C, Hoffman C, Grunberg S, Bittinger K, Baldassano RN, Lewis JD, Bushman FD, and Wu GD: Gene Sequencing Reveals a Unique Fungal Signature in the Gut Microbiota of Pediatric Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.  Poster Presentation. Digestive Disease Week, Chicago, IL May 2014.

Albenberg L, Esipova T, Judge C, Bittinger K, Chen J, Runberg S, Baldassano R, Lewis JD, Li H, Bushman FD, Vinogradov S, Wu, G: Radial Partitioning of the Gut Microbiota Associated with Tolerance to Oxygen and Assacharolytic Metabolism.  Poster Presentation. Digestive Disease Week, Chicago, IL May 2014.

Invited Lectures

2016

"The Role of the Gut Microbiota in Pediatric Nutrition and Health," The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Feeding and Swallowing Center Annual Course, Philadelphia, PA, regional audience of health care providers in the Delaware Valley, April 2016.

"IBD and Nutrition Podcasts," North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Foundation, gikids.org, February 2016.

"Is there a special diet for kids and teens with IBD?," The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Annual IBD Education Day, Philadelphia, PA, regional audience of patients and families in the Delaware Valley, February 2016.

2015

"Diet and inflammatory bowel disease and new therapies," Delaware Valley Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America IBD Support Group, Philadelphia, PA, regional audience of patients and families with IBD in the Delaware Valley, November 2015.

"Are there really nutritional guidelines for the management of IBD?," 3rd Annual Dr. Stephen Matarazzo IBD Conference, Atlantic Gastroenterology Association, Cherry Hill, NJ, November 2015.

"Nutrition in IBD: Making Healthy Choices," Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America Webcast, Philadelphia, PA, November 2015.

"Oxidative Stress and the Gut Microbiome in IBD," North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) Annual Meeting. NASPGHAN Foundation Fellow to Faculty Transition Award in IBD, Washington, DC, October 2015.

"Dietary Factors in the Modulation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease," Food Systems for Gut Health Conference, Penn State University, University Park, PA, October 2015.

"Diet and the Intestinal Microbiome: Implications for Disease," The 16th Annual Postgraduate Nutrition Symposium -- Diet and Microbiota in Health and Disease, Harvard Medical School Division of Nutrition, Boston, MA, July 2015.

"Diet and Inflammatory Bowel Disease," The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Annual IBD Education Day, Philadelphia, PA, regional audience of patients and families with IBD in the Delaware Valley, February 2015.

Awards and Honors

2016, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Division of GI, Hepatology and Nutrition, Fellows Teaching Award

2013-2014, NASPGHAN Fellow to Faculty Transition Award in IBD

2009, Emergency Medicine Outstanding Resident Award, University of Missouri School of Medicine/Children's Mercy Hospitals & Clinics

2005, American Medical Women's Association Glasgow-Rubin Citation for Academic Achievement

2004-2006, Sigma Sigma Phi National Osteopathic Honor Society

Editorial and Academic Positions

Editorial positions

2012-present, Ad Hoc Reviewer, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Academic and Institutional Committees

2015-present, Division of GI, Hepatology and Nutrition Research Interest Steering Committee, Member
2014-present, Division of GI, Hepatology and Nutrition Transition Program Committee, Member

Leadership and Memberships

Memberships in professional organizations

International

2010-present, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

  • 2014-present, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Committee
  • 2011-2013, Training Committee
National

American Association for the Study of Liver Disease

2013-present, Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America

2010-present, American Gastroenterology Association