Dr. Emily Germain-Lee Brings New Expertise and Research to the Institute

Newswise — Kennedy Krieger Institute announced the opening of a new clinic for the treatment and research of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO), a rare genetic disorder affecting the bones, skin and hormone-producing tissues. under the direction of Dr. Emily Germain-Lee, the clinic will provide expert care to children and adults with the disorder, as well as conduct research to expand knowledge of AHO and identify new treatment options. Dr. Germain-Lee currently follows more than 200 patients with AHO, making her one of the world’s experts in this condition.

Dr. Germain-Lee will share her expertise tonight on ABC’s Nightline, alongside three families with children affected by AHO. The segment is scheduled to air on Tuesday, December 28 at 11:35 p.m. EST/10:35 p.m. CST. The air date is subject to change, so check abcnews.go.com/Nightline/ and your local listings for more information.

AHO is estimated to occur in 1 in 15,000 to 1 in 20,000 individuals worldwide, when a key gene for normal hormonal activity is defective and critical hormones fail to function as a result. The condition is characterized by short stature, obesity, bony deposits under the skin, bone and tooth abnormalities, and sometimes other developmental problems such as cognitive delays, autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Typically, children diagnosed with AHO stop growing around ages 10 to 12 when their growth plates fuse prematurely.

Dr. Germain-Lee’s research at Kennedy Krieger will focus on improving the overall health and quality of life for patients with AHO by developing new treatments. a major area of her investigation is whether the clinical symptoms associated with the disorder could improve with growth hormone treatment. her preliminary findings are very promising, and she is working toward FDA approval for growth hormone treatment for AHO.

The Albright Clinic is housed in the Institute’s new Outpatient Center. this fully-accessible facility enhances interdisciplinary care by bringing together medical services with physical, occupational, speech-language and aquatic therapies under one roof.

“Access to interdisciplinary expertise and state-of-the-art resources is critical to improving the quality of life for patients with AHO,” said Dr. Germain-Lee, director of the new Albright Clinic at Kennedy Krieger. “Kennedy Krieger’s unsurpassed commitment to patients with rare disorders and special needs will greatly benefit our ability to address the complex challenges of AHO.”

To learn more about the Albright Clinic, visit: kennedykrieger.org/kki_cp.jsp?pid=8709

About Dr. Emily Germain-LeeBoard certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Endocrinology, Dr. Emily Germain-Lee joined Kennedy Krieger Institute in January 2010. in addition to serving as Director of the Albright Clinic, Dr. Germain-Lee is Director of the Bone Research Program and Associate Director of the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Program at Kennedy Krieger. She is also Vice President of the Human Growth Foundation. Dr. Germain-Lee received her Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Harvard University and her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. her internship and residency in Pediatrics, as well as her fellowship in Pediatric Endocrinology, were completed at Johns Hopkins.

About the Kennedy Krieger InstituteInternationally recognized for improving the lives of children and adolescents with disorders and injuries of the brain, spinal cord and muscle, the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD serves more than 16,000 individuals each year through inpatient and outpatient clinics, home and community services and school-based programs. Kennedy Krieger provides a wide range of services for children with developmental concerns mild to severe, and is home to a team of investigators who are contributing to the understanding of how disorders develop while pioneering new interventions and earlier diagnosis. For more information on Kennedy Krieger Institute, visit kennedykrieger.org.

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