Services & Programs
Advanced Treatment Capabilities
The Division of Allergy & Immunology at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) is committed to helping our patients become symptom free and retain good quality of life. We identify the underlying causes of the condition affecting your child, eliminate the causes and treat underlying immune abnormalities. The Clinical Immunology Center is a referral center used by pediatricians, internists and multiple subspecialties in the tri-state region and nationally.
Asthma
As a partner with the Asthma Center at Montefiore, we work closely with a team of pulmonologists and pharmacy specialists in providing comprehensive asthma care. In the treatment of severe forms of asthma that were previously poorly responsive to conventional therapeutic strategies, we employ the use of novel biologicals, including monoclonal antibodies.
Sinusitis
Chronic sinusitis is a challenging condition that is often difficult to treat. To address this, we take a multifaceted approach:
- Evaluation of anatomical changes by our designated experts in otolaryngology
- Identification of environmental allergens that can be eliminated
- Design of immunotherapy protocols for treatment of environmental allergies and asthma, along with the use of biologicals.
Food Allergies
Food allergies are increasing in prevalence in the US and other developed countries. While these allergies span all ages, they are most frequently identified in the pediatric age group.
Food allergies have a significant impact on quality of life, resulting in skin disorders, asthma, intestinal diseases and even potentially causing life-threatening anaphylaxis reactions. Our faculty provides special expertise in this field, evaluating food allergens by blood tests, skin tests and challenge tests. To address food allergies, we employ a comprehensive approach, including treatment options, expertise from Nutritionists to design dietary modifications, and novel treatments for desensitization, which may ultimately provide patients with a cure for their food allergy.
Drug Allergies
Life-saving medications can present a risk to patients with existing allergies. Through skin testing, blood testing and challenge testing, we test to diagnose reactions to specific drugs. When allergies are identified, we implement a regimen of rapid desensitization that allows the administration of life-saving drugs in patients who are allergic to them; for example, desensitization to aspirin in patients with heart conditions that require daily administration of aspirin. These procedures are done in a strictly supervised outpatient or inpatient setting.
Skin Conditions
Skin conditions may include irritating itching (pruritus) with or without skin rashes, eczema, hives (urticaria), contact dermatitis, psoriasis and angioedema. We evaluate for systemic conditions that may be causative, including food allergies, drug allergies and other chemical agents. Patch testing may be performed to identify culprit chemical agents that can be triggering symptoms. Our knowledge and expertise are well-recognized, and we have been designated by the National Angioedema Association as a center for angioedema, a disorder with often life-threatening skin and internal organ swellings.
Immunodeficiencies
Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) offers one of the largest immunodeficiency centers, with a recently constructed new facility including an infusion center. This center has the expertise to utilize the most advanced treatments, including gammaglobulin, enzyme replacement therapy and biologicals. We are also developing a new program for Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation. We are one of the regional centers for Newborn Screening for Immunodeficiencies, ensuring newborns and infants are treated as early as possible with novel strategies to reinstate their immune system for a complete cure.
Comprehensive Genetic Testing for Inborn Errors of Immunity / Primary Immunodeficiency
At Montefiore Medical Center, we have pioneered one of the first combined immunology and genetics clinics in the country. The goal of our specialty clinic is to provide a comprehensive genetic evaluation for patients and their family members with immunodeficiency suspected of having an underlying genetic etiology. This is a rapidly growing field requiring the expertise of the immunologist, geneticist, and genetic counselor. We provide collaborative, extensive evaluation of patients with novel and well‐established immunodeficiency diseases and cascade testing for at risk family members. This has enabled us to provide a precision therapeutic approach to affected individuals in addition to preventive care and appropriate genetic counseling to those at risk.
HIV/AIDS
Our Division provides leading-edge treatment for children, adolescents and adults with HIV infections. We offered the first Pediatric AIDS Center in the US and have been involved in multiple research initiatives for HIV including immunotherapies, vaccines and anti-HIV drug trials.