St. Louis Children’s Hospital has opened a unique treatment center designed to serve the needs of children with Down syndrome.
Down syndrome is the one of the most common genetic conditions and occurs in one out of every 800 births. At least a thousand families in the St. Louis area have children with Down syndrome, almost half of whom are treated here at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
For the first time, these children will be able to see all their doctors and specialists at one time. The idea is that these children have multiple medical problems, and they need multiple specialists. Their families feel like they’re always coming to the hospital. This way, we can help coordinate their care and make it easier on the child and the family while we address all their medical needs, said clinic director Dr. Kathy Grange, a medical geneticist with St. Louis Children’s Hospital and associate professor of pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine, in a press release.
Complications related to Down syndrome include congenital heart defects, hearing loss, ear infections, eye problems, sleep apnea and thyroid disease. A newborn can see up to 10 different specialists in the first year of life.
The goal of this new center is to provide coordinated and comprehensive medical management for the broad array of health issues in one place at one time. In a single day, a child visiting the center will have access to physicians and specialists in the following areas: genetics and genetic counseling, cardiology, ear, nose and throat, ophthalmology, developmental pediatrics, audiology, physical and speech therapy, social work, and dietary and nutrition services.
The Down Syndrome Center was established through collaboration with Washington University School of Medicine and the Down Syndrome Association. In fact, the DSA has designated a parent advocate to assist staff with families’ special needs and concerns during visits to the center.
We are anxious to promote parent involvement from the DSA, said Grange, and feel that we will need this help if we are to be truly successful.
For more information, contact Jackie Ferman, 314-286-0304.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital has provided specialized care for children for 125 years. Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine, ranked the second-best medical school in the country by US News & World Report. In 2005, Child magazine ranked St. Louis Children’s Hospital among the 10 best children’s hospitals in the country; the emergency unit was ranked third. St. Louis Children’s Hospital also is a member of BJC HealthCare. For more information, log on to http:// www.stlouischildrens.org.
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