Biography

Kids and infections seem to have a natural attraction. That’s because children’s immune systems are still developing and their defense against bacteria and viruses has not been strongly established. Dr. Jeffrey Kahn, director of pediatric infectious diseases, developed a fascination for microbes during his undergraduate work and has dedicated his career to treating children with common and uncommon infections.

“Children’s Health℠ is the referral hospital for most of Texas and adjacent states, so we care for the sickest of patients,” he says. “I am fortunate to be able to treat children at one of the largest children’s hospitals in the country, and with colleagues who are talented and remarkable.”

Dr. Kahn credits the success of his division to his talented and experienced staff of internationally recognized specialists who have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating the most serious infections.

While infectious diseases can take a toll on the lives of all people, they are especially threatening to children. But there is good news in the fight to prevent and treat many infections.

“There are new, effective vaccines in addition to the standard vaccines that have saved countless lives,” Dr. Kahn says. “Plus, novel therapies are now available, including new antibiotics, to treat and prevent life-threatening infections in children.”

His laboratory was the first or among the first laboratories in the US to describe the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of several newly identified viruses including human metapneumovirus, coronaviruses NL63 and HKU1, human bocavirus and polyomavirus WUV. 

Dr. Kahn is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases. He earned his medical degree from State University of New York Downstate College of Medicine, completed his residency in pediatrics at Yale New Haven Hospital and spent three years in a pediatric infectious diseases fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine.

He is the Sarah M. and Charles E. Seay Chair in Pediatric Infectious Diseases and a professor of microbiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and of the Society of Pediatric Research and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society of Microbiology, and American Society of Virology, among others. His research interests are in respiratory viruses and newly emerging pathogens.

Outside of his practice, Dr. Kahn enjoys time with family, photography and sports.

Biography