MAGIC Foundation
Encyclopedia
The MAGIC foundation for children's growth is an American non-profit organization which helps families of children diagnosed with a wide variety of different growth impacting medical conditions through education, networking, physician referrals and numerous other services. It was founded in 1989. It is maintained through a network of volunteers and a full time staff of five people. MAGIC is short for Major Aspects of Growth In Children.
The foundation has a membership network in excess of 25,000 families. The disorders MAGIC families have are grouped into primary categories. They include: congenital adrenal hyperplasia
, precocious puberty
, growth hormone deficiency
(both adults and children), panhypopituitarism, McCune-Albright syndrome
, Turner syndrome
, Russell-Silver syndrome, thyroid disorders (both congenital
and acquired), optic nerve hypoplasia
, and other rare disorders.
and Eli Lilly
to undertake case finding of children with short stature
who might benefit from their human growth hormone treatments. The US Food and Drug Administration investigated Genentech in 1992 and 1994 for using the MAGIC Foundation to improperly advertise this medication.
The foundation has a membership network in excess of 25,000 families. The disorders MAGIC families have are grouped into primary categories. They include: congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia refers to any of several autosomal recessive diseases resulting from mutations of genes for enzymes mediating the biochemical steps of production of cortisol from cholesterol by the adrenal glands ....
, precocious puberty
Precocious puberty
As a medical term, precocious puberty describes puberty occurring at an unusually early age. In most of these children, the process is normal in every respect except the unusually early age, and simply represents a variation of normal development. In a minority of children, the early development is...
, growth hormone deficiency
Growth hormone deficiency
Growth hormone deficiency is a medical condition in which the body does not produce enough growth hormone . Growth hormone, also called somatotropin, is a polypeptide hormone which stimulates growth and cell reproduction...
(both adults and children), panhypopituitarism, McCune-Albright syndrome
McCune-Albright syndrome
McCune–Albright syndrome, described in 1937 by Donovan James McCune and Fuller Albright, is a genetic disorder of bones, skin pigmentation and hormonal problems along with premature puberty.-Symptoms:...
, Turner syndrome
Turner syndrome
Turner syndrome or Ullrich-Turner syndrome encompasses several conditions in human females, of which monosomy X is most common. It is a chromosomal abnormality in which all or part of one of the sex chromosomes is absent...
, Russell-Silver syndrome, thyroid disorders (both congenital
Congenital hypothyroidism
Congenital hypothyroidism is a condition of thyroid hormone deficiency present at birth. Approximately 1 in 4000 newborn infants has a severe deficiency of thyroid function, while even more have mild or partial degrees. If untreated for several months after birth, severe congenital hypothyroidism...
and acquired), optic nerve hypoplasia
Optic nerve hypoplasia
Optic nerve hypoplasia is a medical condition arising from the underdevelopment of the optic nerve. This condition is the most common congenital optic nerve anomaly. The optic disc appears abnormally small, because not all the optic nerve axons have developed properly...
, and other rare disorders.
Educational programs
MAGIC offers an educational program every year for the families of affected children and another for affected adults. Physicians specialising in these disorders, from all over the world, volunteer to speak to and assist the children and affected adults.Controversy
The MAGIC Foundation received significant funding from GenentechGenentech
Genentech Inc., or Genetic Engineering Technology, Inc., is a biotechnology corporation, founded in 1976 by venture capitalist Robert A. Swanson and biochemist Dr. Herbert Boyer. Trailing the founding of Cetus by five years, it was an important step in the evolution of the biotechnology industry...
and Eli Lilly
Eli Lilly
Eli Lilly was the founder of Eli Lilly and Company.Eli Lilly may also refer to:* Eli Lilly and Company, a global pharmaceutical company...
to undertake case finding of children with short stature
Short stature
Short stature refers to a height of a human being which is below expected. Shortness is a vague term without a precise definition and with significant relativity to context...
who might benefit from their human growth hormone treatments. The US Food and Drug Administration investigated Genentech in 1992 and 1994 for using the MAGIC Foundation to improperly advertise this medication.