Clinics cover variety of neurological conditions

New stroke program provides clinic, emergency coverage

The Neuroscience Institute recently opened a comprehensive stroke program, which includes a multidisciplinary clinic and Emergency Department coverage. Le Bonheuris the only program in the area providing coordinated care for stroke patients.

Patients and families can see multiple specialists in one visit. The specialists discuss cases and work together to develop comprehensive plans of care. The team includes specialists from neurology, hematology, pharmacy, physical therapy, nutrition and social work.

In emergent situations, pediatric neurologists are available 24/7 to assess suspected pediatric stroke patients in Le Bonheur’s Emergency Department. Expertise is also available via telemedicine.

The Neuroscience Institute has also joined the International Pediatric Stroke Study.

Muscular dystrophy clinic brings resources to one place for families

Le Bonheur’s Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Clinic provides comprehensive care from a multidisciplinary team in one appointment. The team includes pediatric specialist in neurology, pulmonology, cardiology and orthopedics. Patients also have access to nutrition/ dietitian, occupational, physical and speech therapy, palliative care and social work. The “one-stop shop” treats children with 43 distinct diagnoses – the most common being Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy.

The clinic is one of 28 clinics nationwide participating in the pilot MDA registry, designed to improve the care at MDA clinics across the country.

The physician researchers are working on several studies to improve the treatment of children with muscular dystrophy including Exon skipping for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and participating in the Cooperative International Neuromuscular Research Group.

Le Bonheur forms CP Clinic

Le Bonheur’s Cerebral Palsy (CP) Clinic is the only multidisciplinary center in the region that provides comprehensive care for children with CP – a group of disorders of movement and posture development. The diagnosis affects two to three in every 1,000 children.

In the clinic, children have access to a physiatrist, physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons and orthotic and seating/ mobility experts. In addition, specialists collaborate closely with other providers involved in the child’s care, such as the child’s pediatrician or other therapists, to maximize the child’s potential. The clinic also offers home visits to assess any need for specific equipment or accessibility concerns at home.

“Our goal is to offer individualized treatment for each child with CP designed to meet his or her specific needs and goals,” said Pediatric Neurologist Swati Karmarkar, MD.

Individualized treatment through the clinic could include medication for tone reduction, botulinum toxin injections, evaluations for surgical interventions physical therapy including bracing and equipment and treatment for associated conditions like seizures and sleep disturbances.

In our clinics, we treat children with:

• 15q Duplication Syndrome
• Autism
• Behavioral, attention deficit and hyperactive disorders
• Blood vessel lesions including brain aneurysm, brain and spinal arteriovenous malformation and Vein of Galen malformations
• Brain tumors
• Cerebral palsy and related movement disorders
• Craniofacial disorders
• Dravet Syndrome
• Developmental delays and neuromotor disorders, such as cerebral palsy
• Epilepsy
• Headaches
• Head injuries
• Learning and language disorders
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Neuromuscular disease
• Pial Synangiosis
• Seizures
• Sleep disorders
• Spinal disorders and tumors
• Spina bifida
• Strokes
• Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
• Tics, Tourette’s Syndrome