About Leslie A. Castelo-Soccio, MD

Leslie Castelo-Soccio, MD, PhD, is a pediatric dermatologist with the Dermatology Section at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia with special expertise in alopecia and genetic skin disease. Pediatric dermatologist Leslie Castelo-Soccio, MD, PhD, believes in CHOP’s mission of providing a family-centered approach to care. Her areas of specialty are hair disorders and genetic diseases of the skin. It is important to Dr. Castelo-Soccio not only to create a positive experience for patients and families, but also to be honest about current options for therapy. I love caring for children of all ages and watching them develop, she explains. Children with skin disorders have unique needs that are different from adults with the same conditions. I have always wanted to provide care and expertise in the context of each unique child. Dr. Castelo-Soccio is an advocate for children with rare skin diseases, including diseases with limited therapies. She uses the latest research to inform patient care, especially for skin disorders that don’t have standard treatments. New research tools, clinical trials and genetics can improve the treatment and care of skin disorders. Dr. Castelo-Soccio’s personal research focuses on alopecia areata and rare genetic skin disease. Her research explores the causes of rare skin diseases. It has also focused on the impact of skin disease on quality of life for children and their families, and the creation of pediatric specific research and clinical tools. As Research Director for the section of pediatric dermatology, she has the opportunity to bring some clinical trials for rare skin disease to CHOP and to stay informed of the latest clinical trials for skin and hair disorders. “I am excited about the impact research and genetics have on understanding this group of diseases,” she explains. Dr. Castelo-Soccio loves the practice of medicine from the perspective of the skin. Her interest in research and personal care for patients and families is central to her work.