Adolescent Medicine
![Happy teenage girl with long brown hair on grey background](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_150_3x2_1100x733_1x/public/2024-05/Photo-Hero-AdolMedicine-2624x1720-v01.jpg?itok=_-GAnww6)
Young people ages 11 to 24 receive comprehensive care tailored to their needs in the Craig-Dalsimer Division of Adolescent Medicine at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
Our aim is to provide high-quality medical care to youth throughout the adolescent years, with a focus on respecting individuality, supporting physical and emotional growth and development, and educating and empowering teens to take ownership of their healthcare and life decisions as they become adults.
Our division promotes an environment that recognizes adolescents' need for confidentiality and trust, while also including collaboration with family members and significant others. Teens learn to practice self-advocacy to prepare them for a successful transition to adult healthcare.
Our community outreach efforts seek to break down barriers to healthcare access and allow us to reach youth in nontraditional settings.
How we serve you
We have several programs and services available to teens throughout the CHOP Care Network.
Care we offer
Our team sees adolescents with a variety of conditions around puberty, menstruation, sexual and reproductive health, and eating disorders.
- Adolescent issues related to complex chronic medical conditions
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Amenorrhea - Contraception and contraceptive counseling
- Delayed puberty/delayed sexual development
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Dysmenorrhea - Eating and feeding disorders, including: anorexia nervosa, ARFID and bulimia nervosa
- Evaluation of organic causes of mood disorders
- Gender identity and sexual development issues
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Heavy menstrual bleeding - Hirsutism
- Medical evaluation of malnutrition
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Menstrual problems (absent, irregular, heavy or infrequent menstrual bleeding) including those due to chronic diseases, such as bleeding disorders -
Monkeypox - Ovarian cysts
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PMS - Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Reproductive health visits
- Sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing and treatment
- Support diagnosis and management of uncomplicated depression and anxiety
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Vaginal discharge -
Vulvitis - Young men's health services
![teenage girl facing doctor in an office](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_150_3x2_160x107_1x/public/2024-04/Photo-Team-AdolMedicine-2624x1720-v01_0.jpg?itok=8myxLqMV)
Meet your team
The adolescent medicine specialists in our division understand and appreciate the unique needs of children 11 to 24 and work to build trust to facilitate open communication.
![Architectural detail of outside of building](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_150_3x2_160x107_1x/public/2024-03/Photo-Default-Locations-Building-Exterior-2624x1720-v01.jpg?h=ed76bfaa&itok=CvXz3nSY)
Our locations
We see the majority of our Adolescent Medicine outpatients at Specialty Care, Market Street. At this time there is limited appointment availability at our King of Prussia and Brandywine Valley Specialty Care Center locations.
![Smiling CHOP patient holding shopping bag](/sites/default/files/styles/square_100_160x160_1x/public/2024-06/Photo-Foundation-Shop-for-Chop-Become-Partner-Hero-2624x1720-v01.jpg?h=b840d9cf&itok=b_4zmn0L)
Our research
We are committed to studying health issues specific to adolescents and discovering ways to improve teens' health, their healthy relationships with parents and peers, and prevent disease and injury.
![Father and son smiling together looking at a laptop computer.](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_150_3x2_160x107_1x/public/2024-03/Photo-Default-PatientResources-Father-Son-Laptop-2624x1720-v01.jpg?itok=yK4m4ZfQ)
Adolescent Medicine resources
We have created resources to help you find answers to your questions about health issues that become more relevant during your child's teen years.
Your donation changes lives
A gift of any size helps us make lifesaving breakthroughs for children everywhere.
![appreciative mom hugging her son](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_150_3x2_160x107_1x/public/2024-04/Photo-Donate-AdolMedicine-2624x1720-v01_0.jpg?itok=ovYFHRmV)