Choosing Cook Children's for immunology
Pediatric immunologists are a lot like detectives. Our mission is to unlock the clues and figure out why your child is getting sick. The field of immunology is growing rapidly. We’re learning more and more every year about these complicated and rare conditions. We have treatments now that we didn’t have only a few years ago. In addition, we have sophisticated tests that help us find answers.
What you can expect under our care
Because our team concentrates exclusively on rare immune disorders, we're able to offer a level of specialized expertise that's truly uncommon. This also means we don't manage common allergies, allowing us to dedicate our full focus to the complex, unique needs of your child's condition.
Families feel comfortable here. Our doctors are parents, too, and they know how to talk to your child. Our team prioritizes calming techniques, and our child life specialists support kids who have a tough time with needle sticks or other tests and procedures.
We space out our appointment schedule so we — and you — aren’t rushed. Doing so gives us extra time to get to know your child. You also get more time for questions and answers.
From specialized genetic testing to precision medicine treatments and transplants, we’ve got you covered. We use the latest research to accurately diagnose your child and provide treatments that make a difference.
Immunological conditions are complicated and often hard to understand. Family education is a priority for us. We take the time to ensure it all makes sense and that you understand the plan for your child’s care.
Your child's team includes doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, social workers and other specialists who dedicate their time to caring for children with immune conditions. We also work closely with experts in infectious disease, allergy, genetics and any other specialties your child may need.
Advancing pediatric immunology
Families turn to us for answers, seeking the latest in advanced testing and treatments. Our doctors are continually researching and expanding their knowledge to provide the best possible care.
We offer a range of specialized services, diagnostics and education, including:
Kids can get many infections, especially if they're in day care or preschool or have a sibling in school. Every child's immune system is different. Some children get more infections than others. Sometimes, though, all those infections are a sign of an immune system that isn't working like it should. Our immunologists excel at figuring out which is which.
Genetic conditions that weaken the immune system. Symptoms typically include severe, recurring or unusual infections.
Genetic conditions that cause the immune system to malfunction, such as autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks healthy cells or tissues. In autoinflammatory diseases, the immune system triggers episodes of inflammation in healthy tissue, causing fever, rashes and other symptoms.
Genetic testing offers important insights into some immune conditions. Testing helps us rule out or rule in specific genes associated with immune disorders. The information we get from testing can help us piece together the puzzle and offer specific therapies.
Children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome often have a range of related conditions, including immune system disorders, heart defects and cleft palate. We offer one-stop appointments where your family can meet with all the providers caring for your child in one day. Your child may see specialists in immunology, genetics, cardiology, endocrinology and craniofacial surgery.
These infusions or injections of high-quality antibodies help the body fight infections.
A stem cell transplant, also called bone marrow transplant, is often the best treatment for certain severe immunodeficiencies. Transplants can offer a cure for SCID, HLH, CGD and other conditions. But they require the kind of specialized team you can't find just anywhere. Cook Children's has the expertise your family needs with our stem cell transplant program.
Some children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome or SCID have thymic aplasia, which means the thymus gland is underdeveloped or missing. A transplant of thymus tissue can restore normal immune system function. We can arrange for your child to be transferred to a thymus transplant center and care for them before and after their transplant.
For some conditions, we can use immunomodulators, including biologics. They increase or decrease your immune system's response to infection, inflammation and disease.
Vaccines increase the body's ability to stop infections in their tracks. Beyond disease prevention, we also look at your child's response to vaccines when we evaluate them for a diagnosis. That response is an important diagnostic tool that informs us about how your child's immune system functions.
Moments of magic
Hope and healing happen every day here at Cook Children’s. Discover some of our highlights.
