Services for children with Down syndrome: interdisciplinary team care focused on your child
The Pediatric Down Syndrome Clinic provides comprehensive care and support for children with Down syndrome and their families. Here we address all the important issues related to feeding, growth, and development—as well as those related to medical conditions—to ensure that each child reaches their full potential. Led by pediatric experts in genetics and nutrition, the clinic provides family-centered medical services that include thorough evaluations and development of a treatment plan to meet your child’s individual needs.
We provide top-quality services that adhere to the highest standards and recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics for health supervision for individuals with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome). We help families cope with their child’s multiple needs by providing a central contact point person who coordinates and manages care. The team works hand-in-hand with your family, your primary care team, and medical specialists to ensure that your child receives appropriate care following birth—and throughout childhood.
The clinic’s full range of services include:
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Providing a comprehensive assessment
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Managing medical issues
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Connecting families with community resources
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Teaching families to advocate for their children
What to expect
While we have evaluated many of our patients at birth, patients can be seen at the clinic at any time during their childhood and adolescence. Prior to your first visit, our team will have received and reviewed your child’s medical records to familiarize themselves with any existing conditions and current treatment.
During your first visit to the clinic, you and your child will meet with both the geneticist and nutritionist. After our examinations, we will review our recommendations and treatment plan. Before the end of the appointment, you will have referrals to any needed medical specialists or additional services. We will also provide information about local organizations and county and city resources that can provide support.
Within several weeks, we see you and your child for a follow-up visit. We will schedule routine appointments for every two to four months during the first year—and annual visits thereafter.
Referral to pediatric specialists
Through the clinic, your child has access to a host of MedStar Health pediatric specialists. The clinic team will coordinate care and refer patients to the experts that meet your child’s needs.
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Adolescent medicine
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Apnea services
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Audiology
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Cardiology
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Endocrinology
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Gastroenterology
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Infectious diseases
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Neurology
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Ophthalmology
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Orthopedics
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Otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat)
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Psychiatry
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Pulmonology
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Speech-language pathology, physical therapy, and occupational therapy
