Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Program
If your child has congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), that means they 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 grow when they are treated by congenital adrenal hyperplasia specialists, like those in the Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
While an experienced endocrinologist manages overall care, CHOP's CAH Program brings in experts from across the hospital to address the changing needs of a person with CAH, from infancy to young adult life. They provide support for both your child and your family. In cases where a CAH diagnosis was made before birth, the CAH Program consults with expecting parents to discuss what to expect when having a child with CAH and how 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
For a child with CAH, the goal is to keep their hormones in balance with medications. They need blood work every three months to measure their hormone levels. Determining hormone dosages and when to change them is a big part of treatment.
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
Our CAH clinicians also participate in research to advance new treatments. CHOP works with patient support groups, such as Magic Foundation and 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 in the CAH Program, they will return for follow-up visits every three months. We use this time to review recent blood test results and to provide guidance to your family — and later to adolescents and teens themselves — on how to best manage this rare, genetic condition.
Your donation changes lives
A gift of any size helps us make lifesaving breakthroughs for children everywhere.
