UPMC Children's Specialty Services

We are proud to partner with UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Recognized regionally, nationally, and globally, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh is a leader in the treatment of childhood conditions and diseases, a pioneer in the development of new and improved therapies, and a top educator of the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists. UPMC Children's is named consistently to several elite lists of pediatric hospitals, including ranking on the prestigious U.S. News & World Report annual Honor Roll of America's Best Children's Hospitals for 2019 and 2020.

UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg brings the same level of expertise to Central Pennsylvania, providing children in Harrisburg and its surrounding communities with access to highly trained, experienced pediatric health professionals across a range of specialty areas.

Seeing a new doctor for the first time can be scary for your child, even if he or she normally does well at your regular clinic or pediatrician’s office. The experience can also be overwhelming for you as the parent or caregiver, especially if the visit is related to a serious health condition.

The pediatric professionals at UPMC Children’s Specialty Services understand that fear and apprehension are normal emotions for families seeking specialty care, and our attentive and friendly staff will help put you and your child at ease.

Before your visit, take time to gather all necessary paperwork and personal items so you don’t feel rushed or arrive unprepared. At an age-appropriate level, talk positively to your child about the upcoming visit so he or she knows what to expect. Role play with a doll or stuffed animal so your child can practice interacting with the health care provider. Stay calm and encouraging – your child’s attitude about the visit will reflect your own.

Finally, call our office if you have any concerns or questions about your appointment. Our caring staff are happy to talk to you ahead of time about what to expect and how to prepare your child.

Virtual Visits Launching November 9

Refer by phone 717-988-0090, fax 717-221-5320, or EHR.

UPMC Children 's Specialty Services staff will offer your patient the first available in person appointment or a virtual appointment if the wait time is more than ideal or in person is not available.

Follow up will occur virtually, in person in Lemoyne, Johnstown, or Pittsburgh, or through collaborative specialist/PCP partnerships.

UPMC Children’s Specialty Services Referral Form (PDF)

Learn more about the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute Pediatric Cardiology.

Our endocrinology team provides diagnostic and therapeutic options for children with diabetes and abnormalities in the following areas:

• Puberty
• Growth
• Thyroid function
• Pituitary function
• Adrenal function
• Calcium, Phosphorous and Vitamin D metabolism
• PCOS ( Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)
• Turner syndrome
• Metabolism

Our team includes leading clinical pediatric gastroenterology experts providing care for a broad range of digestive problems, including:

• Abdominal pain
• Gastroesophageal reflux and esophagitis
• Eosinophilic disorders
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Ulcer disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Diarrhea
• Feeding disorders
• Poor growth
• Intestinal failure (short-bowel)
• Motility disorders
• Constipation
• Liver Clinic
• Liver diseases
• Liver transplantation
• Small bowel transplantation
• Acute and chronic pancreatitis
• Metabolic disorders affecting the liver or intestines

Our hematology team at UPMC Children's Specialty Services works collaboratively with surgeons and radiologists to develop the best treatment plan for you.

• Known hereditary or acquired bleeding disorders/clotting disorders
• Heavy menstrual periods (menorrhagia)
• Epistaxis
• Abnormal coagulation lab tests (PT/PTT/INR)
• Von Willebrand Disease
• Anemia and iron deficiency
• Polycythemia
• Leukocytosis and Leukopenia
• Neutropenia
• Thrombocytosis and Thrombocytopenia
• G6PD Deficiency
• Abnormal newborn hemoglobinopathy screen
  • Bart’s Hemoglobin
  • Hemoglobin traits
  • Hemoglobin variants
• Thalassemia Minor/Trait (non-transfusion dependent)
• Splenomegaly

Our pediatric neurology staff specialize in treating a broad range of childhood brain and spine conditions. The experts at UPMC Children’s Specialty Services provide the highest level of neurological care to young patients in Lemoyne, Harrisburg, Hershey, and other communities throughout Central Pennsylvania.

Why choose UPMC Pinnacle Pediatric Neurology?

At UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg, we realize that children with neurological conditions need a different treatment approach than adults. That’s why our expert physicians are specially trained to diagnose and treat conditions related to the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system in infants, children, and teens.

Our team cares for your whole child, not just their medical issue. We also take the time to carefully explain your child’s neurological condition and treatment options to you and other caregivers.

Conditions We Treat

UPMC Children’s Specialty Services is committed to providing access to high-quality health care close to home. Our team treats a full range of neurological conditions, including:

• Epilepsy. Epilepsy is a condition marked by repeated seizures, which are caused by abnormal bursts of electrical activity in the brain.
• Headache and migraine. Headache and migraine refer to pain in the head that can have different levels of severity and a variety of causes.
• Movement disorders. Movement disorders are caused by a number of nervous system conditions that involve abnormal voluntary or involuntary muscle movement that affect a person’s ability to function.
• Mitochondrial and metabolic disorders. These conditions occur when the parts of the body’s cells responsible for creating energy are not functioning properly.
• Muscular dystrophy. Muscular dystrophy refers to a group of conditions that cause increasing weakness and loss of muscle mass over time.
• Neurological conditions caused by autoimmune disorders. Neuroimmunology is a subspecialty that focuses on treating neurological conditions caused by autoimmune disorders.
• Neuromuscular diseases. Neuromuscular diseases are caused by nerve problems that affect how muscles function in your body.
• Rare brain diseases. Our pediatric neurologists treat a full range of less-common conditions affecting the brain.
• Stroke. Stroke is a condition that is caused by a blocked or ruptured blood vessel in the brain.

If your child needs surgical care, the pediatric surgery experts at UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg offer leading-edge treatment for a full range of common and complex conditions.

Why choose UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg for pediatric surgery?

At UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg, our pediatric surgeons understand that children have unique health care needs that require a specialized, child-friendly approach.

Additionally, our experienced pediatric surgery specialists use minimally invasive surgical techniques whenever possible to provide outstanding care for infants, children, and teens. That means smaller incisions, faster recovery, and less pain, so your child can safely resume his or her normal activities sooner.

Our pediatric surgeons work collaboratively with other children’s health providers – including pediatricians, nurses, and anesthesiologists – to deliver expert care for our youngest patients, right here in central Pennsylvania. Whether your child has a common or complex condition, UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg’s experts will provide outstanding care close to home.

Conditions We Treat

• Acute appendicitis
• Abdominal pain
• Gallbladder problems
• Reflux disease
• Lumps and bumps
• Tongue tie
• Abscess
• Constipation
• Bowel management
• Imperforate anus
• Hirschsprungs
• Empyema
• Chest tube
• Hernias
• Hydrocele
• Umbilical Hernia
• Circumcisions
• Varicocele
• Testicular problems
• Undescended testis
• Branchial sinus and fistula
• Pyloric stenosis
• Bowel obstruction