Children's Hospital Colorado's pediatric research efforts formally began in 1978. Today, Children's is recognized worldwide for our research in the diseases of newborns, children, adolescents and teens.
While it is impossible to capture all of our achievements over the past 30 years, the following snapshot highlights some of our most groundbreaking and internationally acclaimed research -- made possible by collaboration between The Department of Pediatrics at the
University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado. Breakthroughs and discoveries at a glance
Physicians and researchers from Children's Hospital Colorado, in partnership with the
University of Colorado Department of Pediatrics, are responsible for numerous nationally and internationally recognized milestones including:
The discovery of toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
Methods to save newborns with severe lung disorders, including the treatment of pediatric pulmonary hypertension by using a non-invasive method of inhaled nitric oxide
The first newborn screening program for cystic fibrosis in the U.S.
The development and licensure of a new shingles vaccine
Identifying changes in genes that cause children to develop acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of pediatric cancer
Discovering the effects of Zinc and Vitamin E nutritional deficiencies in infants and children; established the industry standards for adding Zinc to infant formula
Pioneering pediatric AIDS research, as one of a handful of AIDS clinical trial groups in U.S.
Groundbreaking research in the treatment of hemophilia and blood-clotting disorders
Participation in clinical trials leading to the licensure of new pediatric vaccines including influenza and meningococcus
Acclaimed leadership, publications and ranking
Five faculty members of the
University of Colorado Department of Pediatrics (whose physicians practiced at Children's Hospital Colorado) have served as president of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The Department of Pediatrics is responsible for writing one of the world’s most widely used textbooks, Current Pediatric Diagnosis and Treatments, a "bible" for family physicians and pediatricians.
The Department of Pediatrics ranked 5th in the nation in the 2015
U.S. News & World Report annual survey of medical schools.
Read about our other awards and honors.