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Contribution of Dorothy Hansine Andersen in Field of Pediatrics

Riya Soni, Kasumbiwal Ajay H., Lakhe Siddheshwar A., Munde Sudarshan

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Pediatric Education and Research 13(2 (Special Supplement -II)):p 400-402, July-Dec 2025. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/per.2321.1644.13225.95

How Cite This Article:

Kasumbiwal Ajay H., Lakhe Siddheshwar A., Munde Sudarshan, et al. Contribution of James Tanner to the Field of Pediatrics. Pediatr. Edu. Res. 2025; 13(2): 400-402.

Timeline

Received : December 20, 2025         Accepted : December 28, 2025          Published : December 30, 2025

Abstract

Dorothy Hansine Andersen was an American physician, pathologist, and paediatrician whose pioneering work transformed the landscape of paediatric medicine. She is best known for identifying and defining cystic fibrosis of the pancreas as a distinct clinical and pathological entity, a milestone that reshaped diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for children worldwide. Through meticulous autopsy analyses, she recognised patterns previously mistaken for coeliac disease and gathered forty-nine similar cases, culminating in her landmark description of cystic fibrosis in nineteen thirty-eight. Andersen further advanced the field by developing early diagnostic tests, including the sweat chloride test, and introducing nutritional and enzyme replacement therapies. Her contributions extended beyond cystic fibrosis to include the characterisation of Glycogen Storage Disease Type Four and significant work in congenital heart disease, where her anatomical collection guided early open-heart surgeries. Despite substantial gender discrimination and institutional barriers, Andersen rose to prominence as Chief of Pathology and a respected academic leader. Her career embodies scientific curiosity, resilience, and dedication, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to influence modern paediatric practice.

References

  • 1.   Andersen D.H. Cystic fibrosis of the pancreas and its relation to celiac disease: a clinical and pathologic study. Am J Dis Child. 1938; 56(2): 344–399.
  • 2.   Andersen D.H. Celiac syndrome: I. Determination of fat in feces; reliability of two chemical methods and of microscopic exam; II. Fecal elimination in children with steatorrhea on ordinary diet. Am J Dis Child. 1945; 69(3): 141–151.
  • 3.   Andersen D.H. Familial cirrhosis of the liver with storage of abnormal glycogen. Lab Invest. 1956; 5(1): 11–20.
  • 4.   Damrosch D.S. Dorothy Hansine Andersen. J Pediatr. 1964; 65(4): 477–479.
  • 5.   di Sant’Agnese P.A. In memoriam: Dorothy Hansine Andersen (1901-1963). J Pediatr. 1963;63(4): 1021–1022.
  • 6.   Al-Ghananeem A.M., Bingham S.A. The Matildas of Medicine: Dorothy Hansine Andersen and the Discovery of Cystic Fibrosis. J Med Biogr. 2014; 22(2): 101–105.
  • 7.   Neese L.W., Liberman A.L., Sibley R.K. Andersen’s Disease (Type IV Glycogenosis). Arch Pathol Lab Med. 1992; 116(2): 182–187.
  • 8.   Webb A.K. Historical Review of Cystic Fibrosis. J R Soc Med. 2005; 98 (Suppl 45): 2–7.
  • 9.   Ross-Bernstein J. Dorothy Hansine Andersen (1901-1963). J Med Biogr. 1994; 2(1): 32–37.
  • 10.   Hodson M.E., Geddes D.M., Bush A., editors. Cystic Fibrosis. 3rd ed. London: Hodder Arnold; 2007. pp. 1–14.

Data Sharing Statement

There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.

Funding

This research received no funding.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.

Ethics Declaration

This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.

Conflicts of Interest

No conflicts of interest in this work.

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Cite this article

Kasumbiwal Ajay H., Lakhe Siddheshwar A., Munde Sudarshan, et al. Contribution of James Tanner to the Field of Pediatrics. Pediatr. Edu. Res. 2025; 13(2): 400-402.

Licence:

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.

Received Accepted Published
December 20, 2025 December 28, 2025 December 30, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/per.2321.1644.13225.95

Keywords

Cystic fibrosisPaediatric pathologyAndersen diseaseGlycogen Storage Disease Type FourCongenital heart defectsMedical history

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Timeline

Received December 20, 2025
Accepted December 28, 2025
Published December 30, 2025

licence

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


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