University Hospital Pisa
Department of Reproductive Medicine and Pediatrics
Via Roma, 67
56126 Pisa
Italy

 www.med.unipi.it

Project Leader

Prof. Dr. Silvano Bertelloni Phone: 0039-(0)50-992743  Fax: 0039-(0)50-993044  Contact

Project Staff

Dr. Giampiero Baroncelli Pediatrician, expert in bone metabolism  Phone: 0039-(0)50-993168  Fax: 0039-(0)50-993044  Contact

Dr. Paolo Ghirri Neonatologist / coordinator of Italian DSD registry  Phone: 0039-(0)50-993452  Fax: 0039-(0)50-992611  Contact

Dr. Fulvia Baldinotti Molecular biologist  Phone: 0039-(0)50-993377  Contact

Institute Presentation

The University Hospital of Pisa has a long standing tradition in paediatrics and endocrinology.

The Department of Reproductive Medicine and Paediatrics in Pisa represents a centre of excellence in Italy for the care of patients with disorders of sex development (DSD), bringing together several professionals with expertise and facilities in this field. The Italian leader of EuroDSD, Dr. Silvano Bertelloni, is chief of the section of Adolescent Medicine in the division of Paediatrics. The special services for DSD patients are incorporated into the department in a cooperative design with the division of Neonatology (coordinator of Italian registry for DSD) and the division of Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology. Special collaborations are established with the department of Chemistry and the Chair of Pediatric Surgery for diagnosis and treatment of DSD.

During the last 20 years, the division of Pediatrics in Pisa promoted several educational programmes on DSD as well as extensive clinical, biochemical and molecular research activities in this field. From 2003, a clinical database for children affected by DSD has been established ( www.neonatologia.unipi.it) utilizing a dedicated support; it is granted by local funding of the University of Pisa plus private sponsors. The database joins neonatology, endocrinology and genetic units nationwide on voluntary basis. Extensive collaboration has been developed with AISIA (Italian Association for Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome and related DSD), leading to projects to promote long-term well-being and optimize care of individuals with DSD.

The division of Pediatrics – Pisa will serve as a clinical centre in EuroDSD, thereby involved in several of the work packages.