Catherine Mason Gordon, M.D.,M.S.

Our laboratory is committed to identifying assessment tools that afford non-invasive measurements of bone density and skeletal strength in the pediatric and adolescent population. We are using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to provide measurements of central bone density and body composition and high resolution peripheral computed tomography (HRpQCT) to evaluate peripheral measurements of bone density and skeletal strength. We are performing deep phenotyping of children and adolescents with childhood-onset chronic conditions and also performing genetic testing. A focus of our research is how physical and emotional health are compromised in adolescents and young women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). We are interested in both the presentation and causes of POI, including that seen in childhood cancer survivors, and ovarian dysfunction due to autoimmune, metabolic, genetic/syndromic, and idiopathic (unknown) causes. We are conducting a natural history study to characterize numerous health outcomes and are launching a clinical trial to identify the optimal estrogen replacement regimen for adolescents and young women with this diagnosis. Our team is also investigating the relationship between bone marrow composition and bone mineral accrual in adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease and other pediatric models using magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy. Lastly, working in collaboration with Dr. Nara Sobreira at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, our lab is investigating the natural history and skeletal phenotype of children with the rare genetic conditions, Ollier disease and Muffucci syndrome, poorly characterized cancer susceptibility syndromes. This research builds on a long-time interest of our team - the skeletal phenotype and endocrinopathies associated with the rare disease, progeria.

Catherine M. Gordon, M.D., M.S. is a Senior Investigator and the Clinical Director for the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. She is an internationally recognized expert in adolescent bone health and reproductive endocrinology. Dr. Gordon is double-boarded in adolescent medicine and pediatric endocrinology through the American Board of Pediatrics, and has a long-time interest in pediatric and adolescent bone health. She is also certified to interpret bone density and body composition measures through the International Society for Clinical Densitometry. Throughout her career, she has provided clinical care, led an independently funded research program, and served in administrative roles, including program director, division chief, and department chair. Before coming to NIH in September 2023, she was on the Senior Faculty at the USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center in Houston, a position that aligned well with her interest in bone health in pediatric patients with chronic health conditions and mentoring of trainees as they launched their scientific careers. For the past over two decades, she has led an adolescent bone health research group with past extramural support from the NICHD, NIAMS, Department of Defense, and private foundations. Her research team has successfully completed many clinical research studies, including use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), quantitative ultrasound, and both standard and high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HRpQCT) to investigate bone health and skeletal strength. Her team has investigated a number of conditions including skeletal deficits in adolescents with the chronic disorders, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease, among others, and exploring the impact of nutritional factors and physical activity on bone accrual in healthy adolescents.

Selected Bibliography:

- Wasserman HM, Kalkwarf HJ, Altaye M, Yolton K, Kanj RV, Gordon CM. Characterizing the adolescent premature ovarian insufficiency phenotype: a case control study. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol2022;36:122-127.

- Kanj RV, Ofei-Tenkorang NA, Altaye M, Gordon CM. Evaluation and management of primary ovarian insufficiency in adolescents and young adults. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2018;31:13-18.

- Gordon CM, Cleveland RH, Baltrusaitis K, Massaro J, D'Agostino RB Sr, Liang MG, Snyder B, Walters M, Li X, Braddock DT, Kleinman ME, Kieran MW, Gordon LB. Extraskeletal calcifications in Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome. Bone 2019;125:103-111.

- Gordon RJ, Pappa HM, Vajapeyam S, Mulkern R, Ecklund K, Snapper SB, Gordon CM. Gordon RJ. Bone marrow adiposity in pediatric Crohn's disease. Bone marrow adiposity in pediatric Crohn's disease. Bone 2022;162:116453.

- Pitts S, DiVasta AD, Gordon CM. Evaluation and management of amenorrhea. JAMA 2021;326:1962-1963.