Sheila Gahagan, MD, MPH

Sheila Gahagan, MD, MPH, is a board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatrician. Developmental-behavioral pediatricians work with families to evaluate, treat, and coordinate care for children with developmental delays, learning disorders, behavioral or mental health concerns. Dr. Gahagan has a special interest in the evaluation and care of infants and toddlers with developmental delay and behavioral concerns. She has particular expertise in infant and toddler regulation disorders (including sleep problems), difficulty feeding, excessive crying and tantrums, attachment disorders, complications of prematurity, and fetal alcohol syndrome. She also cares for many children with autism spectrum disorders and ADHD.

As a professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Gahagan instructs medical students, residents and fellows at UC San Diego School of Medicine. She is chief of the Division of Academic General Pediatrics, Child Development, and Community Health in the Department of Pediatrics at UC San Diego School of Medicine. Her research focuses on understanding health disparities in child growth and development and the role of nutrition on long-term developmental outcomes. In particular, she studies the role of iron on the developing brain and the long-term consequences of iron deficiency anemia. She also studies how early life childhood obesity affects development and health.

Dr. Gahagan completed a residency in pediatrics at Case Western Reverse University School of Medicine, where she served as chief resident. She earned her medical degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in East Lansing, Mich and also holds a master's in public health degree in epidemiology from the University of Michigan, School of Public Health in Ann Arbor, Mich. She is board certified in general pediatrics and developmental-behavioral pediatrics.

Dr. Gahagan has won numerous awards for her achievements in teaching and research.

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For more information, see Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics.