22q Center at Lurie Children's Hospital
The 22q Center at Lurie Children’s Hospital is a multidisciplinary program dedicated to providing comprehensive, coordinated, and compassionate care to infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with 22q11.2 deletion and duplication syndromes. As the first multidisciplinary 22q program of its kind in Illinois, the Center has a long history of caring for individuals and families affected by 22q. The program’s first patient was born in 1965, and the multidisciplinary clinic at Lurie Children’s was established in the early 2000s. For more than two decades, the team has brought together pediatric experts across multiple specialties to address the complex and varied medical, developmental, educational, psychosocial, and genetic needs of individuals with 22q.
The goal of the 22q Center is to make caring for a child with 22q as seamless as possible by providing proactive, holistic care tailored to the unique needs and values of each patient and family. Because 22q can affect many aspects of health and development, children often require care from multiple specialists throughout their lives. During multidisciplinary clinic visits, families are able to meet with several providers in a single visit, which may include Genetics, Immunology, Endocrinology, Otolaryngology (ENT), Audiology, Speech and Language Pathology, Social Work, and Child Life. The 22q team also works closely with specialists throughout Lurie Children’s, including Cardiology, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Dentistry, Urology, Nephrology, and other pediatric subspecialties, allowing families to be connected with the appropriate experts based on each child’s individual needs.
The Center has served more than 400 patients through the multidisciplinary clinic over the past 10 years, while many additional patients with 22q11.2 deletion and duplication syndromes receive care from Lurie Children’s specialists outside of the multidisciplinary clinic setting. The hospital also offers a separate subspecialty clinic for patients with a history of cardiac disease and NICU stays, where families can access coordinated care from Cardiology, Developmental Pediatrics, Neuropsychology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Social Work.
In addition to clinical care, the 22q Center is committed to advancing research and quality improvement and to expanding knowledge about the diverse manifestations of 22q. Members of the team have published research on topics including congenital heart disease, the diagnosis and surgical management of velopharyngeal insufficiency, platelet function, and other important aspects of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Team members have also lectured locally and nationally on a broad range of topics related to 22q. Through continued clinical collaboration, research, education, and quality improvement, the 22q Center strives to improve outcomes and quality of life for individuals with 22q and their families from childhood through young adulthood.
Clinical Coordinator: Valerie Allegretti, CGC
For Appointments/Genetic Counselor: 312-227-6120 (ask for 22q Clinic)
Clinic Schedule: Morning of the 3rd Friday of every month
Hours: Monday-Friday from 8:00am – 5:00pm
Fax Number: 312-227-9413
Clinic Location: Lurie Children’s Hospital
225 E. Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60611