Fertility

Fertility Concerns in Boys and Men With Sickle Cell Disease
Fertility Concerns in Boys and Men With Sickle Cell Disease 1024 575 Mary Bates, PhD
Color photo of Black father holding infant on shoulder in front of nursery background with clouds on the wall

Sickle cell disease and its treatments may impact fertility, but more research is needed to help counsel this population. Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects approximately 100,000 Americans, most of whom belong to underserved, minority populations. Advances in disease-modifying therapies, such as hydroxyurea, have led to better clinical outcomes. However, as more individuals with SCD survive…

Fertility-Related Care for Girls With Turner Syndrome
Fertility-Related Care for Girls With Turner Syndrome 150 150 Mary Bates, PhD

Recent survey of providers shows fertility counseling and referrals are delivered inconsistently in this population. Researchers from Nationwide Children’s recently assessed practices surrounding fertility-related care among clinical providers who treat girls with Turner syndrome. They found that fertility counseling and referral rates remain inconsistent and identified common barriers to fertility care in this population. Turner…

Fertility Navigators Support Important Consultations in Pediatric Settings
Fertility Navigators Support Important Consultations in Pediatric Settings 150 150 Mary Bates, PhD

At Nationwide Children’s, hiring a full-time fertility navigator increased access to fertility care among pediatric patients. With advances in chemotherapy and radiation, more children are surviving cancer and entering adulthood. However, a potential consequence of such treatments is fertility impairment, which can affect about 15% of female and 50% of male childhood cancer survivors. Although…

Featured Researcher — Leena Nahata, MD
Featured Researcher — Leena Nahata, MD 150 150 Natalie Wilson

Pediatric endocrinologist Leena Nahata, MD, is the founder and medical director of the Fertility and Reproductive Health Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and a principal investigator in the Center for Biobehavioral Health at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s. Although fertility-related decisions can seem far away for children, adolescents and their families, many…

Protecting an ‘Open Future:’ Improving Fertility Preservation Decision-Making for Young Males With Cancer
Protecting an ‘Open Future:’ Improving Fertility Preservation Decision-Making for Young Males With Cancer 1024 575 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES
Color photo of Black father holding infant on shoulder in front of nursery background with clouds on the wall

Evidence from a new study highlights the importance of family-centered decision processes and clinician facilitation in improving fertility preservation uptake prior to cancer treatment. Numerous cancer treatments can reduce fertility or render some patients entirely infertile, but fertility preservation (FP) services have historically had low rates of uptake. When a young person is diagnosed with…

Guidance on Counseling Children at Risk for Fertility and Sexual Function Issues
Guidance on Counseling Children at Risk for Fertility and Sexual Function Issues 150 150 Jeb Phillips

Many childhood medical conditions and treatments can affect reproductive health. A new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics explains when and how doctors should address those concerns. While fertility and sexual function are most often considered adult issues, even very young children may have conditions that will have an impact on reproductive health later…