Stephen H. LaFranchi, MD - Pediatric Endocrinology
Dr. Stephen H. LaFranchi reviews medical content for Healthwise, a nonprofit organization with a mission to help people make better health decisions. Dr. LaFranchi is a professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, at Oregon Health Sciences University. He was recognized as one of "The Best Doctors in America" by a selection of peers in 1994 and 1995. Dr. LaFranchi is actively involved in research and has received many grants to fund research on various pediatric endocrine-related conditions.
Dr. LaFranchi serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Thyroid. He reviews for the Journal of Pediatrics, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Pediatrics, Pediatric Research, American Journal of Diseases of Children, and New England Journal of Medicine.
Dr. LaFranchi has trained 24 pediatric endocrinology fellows at Oregon Health Sciences University. He is widely published in peer-reviewed medical journals. He has authored or coauthored numerous book chapters, abstracts, and medical papers. He has contributed 8 chapters to UpToDate, a CD ROM and Web-based reference.
Board Certifications
- American Board of Pediatrics
- American Board of Pediatrics, Pediatric Endocrinology
Healthwise Knowledgebase Topics Reviewed
- Klinefelter's Syndrome
- Type 1 Diabetes: Children Living with the Disease
Education
- M.D.: University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical School, 1969
- Pediatric Internship: UCLA, 1969–1970
- Pediatric Residency: UCLA, 1970–1972
- Pediatric Endocrine Fellowship: UCLA, 1972–1975
Academic/Hospital Appointments
- Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Oregon Health Sciences and Head, Pediatric Endocrinology, 1975–1980
- Associate Professor, University of Oregon Health Sciences, 1980–1985
- Professor, University of Oregon Health Sciences, 1985–present
- Associate Chair for Education, University of Oregon Health Sciences, 1994–2001
- Head, Pediatric Endocrinology Division, Oregon Health Sciences University, 1975–2001
- Director, Pediatric Endocrinology Training Program, Oregon Health Sciences University, 1981–2001
Professional Affiliations
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- American Diabetes Association
- American Federation for Clinical Research
- American Pediatric Society
- American Thyroid Association
- Endocrine Society
- European Society for Pediatric Research
- Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society
- North Pacific Pediatric Society
- Oregon Pediatric Society
- Pediatric Endocrine Association for Research and Learning (PEARL)
- Portland Academy of Pediatrics
- Society for Pediatric Research
- Western Society for Pediatric Research
Selected Publications
- Raymond J, LaFranchi SDH (2010). Fetal and neonatal thyroid function: A review and summary of significant new findings. Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity, 17(1):1–17.
- LaFranchi SH (2008). Should the levothyroxine starting dose be tailored to disease severity in neonates with congenital hypothyroidism? Nature Clinical Practice. Endocrinology and Metabolism, 4(12), 658–659.
- DeBoer MD, LaFranchi S (2008). Differential presentation for children with autoimmune thyroiditis discovered because of symptom development or screening. Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, 21(8): 753–761.
- LaFranchi S (2007). Comments: Iodine requirements during pregnancy, lactation and the neonatal period, and indicators of optimal iodine nutrition. Public Health Nutrition, 10(12A): 1581–1583.
- DeBoer M, LaFranchi S (2007). Pediatric thyroid testing issues. Pediatric Endocrinology Reviews, 5(Suppl 1): 570–577.
- LaFranchi S, Austin J (2007). How should we be treating children with congenital hypothyroidism? Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, 20(5): 559–578.
- Kaye CI, Committee on Genetics, Accurso F, LaFranchi S, Lane PA, Hope N, Pang S, Bradley S, Lloyd-Puryear MA (2006). Newborn screening fact sheets. Pediatrics, 118(3): e934–e963.
- Hollowell JG, LaFranchi S, Smallridge RC, Spong CY, Haddow JE, Boyle CA (2005). Where do we go from here? Summary of Working group discussions on thyroid function and gestational outcomes. Thyroid, 15(1):72–76.
