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Derek Chu, MD

  • Clinical Associate Professor
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  • Derek Hanson Chu
  • “To me, there is no greater joy than making a positive difference in a child's life.”

Locations and Hours

Dermatology

730 Welch Road
1st Fl
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: (650) 498-6078
Map, Directions & Parking

Stanford Medicine Children's Health Specialty Services - Los Gatos

14601 S. Bascom Ave
Suite 200
Los Gatos , CA   95032
Phone: (650) 721-1227
Fax: (650) 498-4209
Map, Directions & Parking

Stanford Medicine Children's Health Specialty Services - Sunnyvale

1195 West Fremont Avenue
Sunnyvale , CA   94087
Phone: (650) 721-1227
Fax: (650) 498-4209
Map, Directions & Parking

My experience volunteering at an orphanage during high school inspired me to become a doctor. I knew then that I wanted to support children by improving their health. To me, there is no greater joy than making a positive difference in a child's life.

The skin can be a window into a child's well-being. As a pediatric dermatologist, I decipher patterns and clues on children's skin to make diagnoses and to uncover any underlying medical conditions.

My approach to providing care is to involve families as much as possible in the process. We work together as a team. I take the time to ensure everyone fully understands the decisions we've made. My goal is to always do what is best for the child and family, and I want families to know that I'm here to help in any way I can.

Specialties

Dermatology

Work and Education

Professional Education

Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 5/16/2011

Internship

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 06/20/2012

Residency

University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, 6/30/2015

Fellowship

UCSF Dept of Dermatology, San Francisco, CA, 6/30/2016

Board Certifications

Dermatology, American Board of Dermatology

Pediatric Dermatology, American Board of Dermatology

Services

Dermatology

All Publications

Cutaneous signs of nutritional disorders. International journal of women's dermatology Wong, C. Y., Chu, D. H. 1800; 7 (5Part A): 647-652

Abstract

This review article focuses on the dermatologic manifestations of selected nutrient deficiencies, including protein-energy and micronutrient-related malnutrition. The various nutrient deficiencies presented may share common features. However, distinctive cutaneous signs may prompt clinicians to consider a nutritional cause and help distinguish a nutrient deficiency from other common dermatologic conditions. The recent reemergence of forgotten nutritional deficiencies, such as scurvy and pellagra, in the context of predisposing risk factors that may uniquely affect women more than men makes this topic timely. Recognition of nutritional disorders is important because appropriate treatment may reverse cutaneous signs and prevent irreversible sequelae.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ijwd.2021.09.003

View details for PubMedID 35024418

Characteristics of melanoma in white and nonwhite children, adolescents, and young adults: Analysis of a pediatric melanoma institutional registry, 1995-2018 PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY Afanasiev, O. K., Tu, J. H., Chu, D. H., Swetter, S. M. 2019; 36 (4): 44854

View details for DOI 10.1111/pde.13836

View details for Web of Science ID 000474933900017

Characteristics of melanoma in white and nonwhite children, adolescents, and young adults: Analysis of a pediatric melanoma institutional registry, 1995-2018. Pediatric dermatology Afanasiev, O. K., Tu, J. H., Chu, D. H., Swetter, S. M. 2019

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To characterize clinical differences among nonwhite/multiethnic vs white children, adolescents, and young adults with melanoma or atypical melanocytic neoplasms, including atypical Spitz tumors.PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cohort of 55 patients (< 25years of age) prospectively followed from 1995 to 2018 in the Stanford Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Program was analyzed for differences in clinical presentation, including skin phototype, race/ethnicity, age, sex, tumor/melanoma characteristics, and outcome.RESULTS: Seventeen patients (9 males and 8 females) were classified as nonwhite (predominantly skin phototype IV) and of Hispanic, Asian, or Black/African American ethnicity, and 38 patients (21 males and 17 females) were classified as white (predominantly phototypes I/II). Ages ranged from 6months to 24years, and median follow-up was 36months (range 1-180months). Melanomas were diagnosed in 87% of whites in our cohort, compared to 65% of nonwhites, with the remainder representing mainly atypical Spitz tumors. Lesions were usually brought to the attention of a health care provider by the patient or family (P<0.05). Compared with whites, nonwhites were more likely to present at a younger mean age (10.9years vs 15.4years, P<0.05) and with pink/clinically amelanotic tumors (59% vs 24%, P=0.02).CONCLUSIONS: This long-term prospective institutional study showed clinically relevant differences between nonwhite vs white children, adolescents, and young adults diagnosed with melanoma and atypical melanocytic neoplasms. Nonwhite patients presented at a younger age and had more clinically amelanotic melanocytic tumors. Increased recognition of clinical factors and risk of these tumors in nonwhites could result in earlier diagnosis.

View details for PubMedID 30993772