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Fetal Echocardiograms
Led by pediatric cardiologist Dr. Michael
Mulreany, our division continues to push the
boundaries of early detection of congenital
heart
disease
by
performing
prenatal
echocardiograms in the second trimester or
beyond. This has resulted in marked
improvement in prenatal and postnatal
management of patients with complex
congenital heart disease and significantly
improved patient outcomes.
Ultra-Low-Dose Cardiac CT Scans
Working with our colleagues in Radiology and
adult Cardiology, we have successfully
performed multiple coronary CT scans in
pediatric patients using a more than tenfold
reduction in radiation exposure when
compared to most other imaging centers. We
have completed several studies in children
during a single-breath hold using the latest
technology CT scanner and exposed to the
equivalent radiation dose of only 3-4 chest
radiographs.
Patch Ambulatory Rhythm Monitors
Our pediatric cardiology division has been a
national leader in the use of wearable
technology for ambulatory rhythm monitoring
in children. This novel technology uses a
wireless and water-resistant monitor to
capture
heart
rate
trends,
rhythm
assessments, and patient-triggered symptom-
monitoring to replace traditional battery-
operated
devices.
This
patient-friendly
technology has significantly improved the
success of our study completion rate, with a
notable improvement in our abnormal rhythm
detection rate.
Newest Generation Echocardiogram
Machines
Our division now uses the latest generation
echocardiogram
machines,
which
has
significantly improved image quality and
allows for advanced 2D and 3D visualization
along
with
advanced
hemodynamic
assessment, including strain rate and other
assessments of function.
Developmental Pediatrics
A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Care
The Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Clinic is
responsible
for
providing
pediatric
neurodevelopmental evaluations in the NCR
and providing training on developmental-
behavioral pediatrics to the NCC and INOVA
pediatric
residency
programs,
medical
students and family nurse practitioners. We
evaluate children from 16 sites throughout the
NCR and from overseas.
Our mission is to provide a centralized location
for the diagnosis and management of children
with a developmental disability, to offer
medical support and education to these
children’s families, and to train residents and
students on evaluation and management of
children with developmental disabilities. We
evaluate children with concerns about autism,
complex ADHD, learning disability, intellectual
disability, cerebral palsy, spina bifida,
craniofacial abnormalities, developmental
delay, torticollis, feeding difficulty, sensory
processing
disorders,
neuromuscular
disorders,
traumatic
brain
injury
and
communication disorders.
Ms. Kristina Harven, our
pediatric respiratory
therapist, performs
exercise testing, allowing
pulmonary and cardiac
specialists to identify
conditions brought on by
vigorous athletic activity.
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Pediatric Endocrinology
Improving Diabetes Outcomes
Our pediatric endocrinology team designed a
process improvement to help optimize
education for our patients with type 1
diabetes using insulin pumps, leading to
decreased admissions to the pediatric ICU for
this group of patients. The project, entitled
“Insulin Pump Back-Up Plans for Pediatric
Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Are Associated
with Decreased Admissions for Diabetic
Ketoacidosis,”
won
the
NCR
Quality
Symposium poster competition.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring at Home
The division also implemented a new
diagnostic continuous glucose monitoring
program for our patients with type 1 diabetes.
Patients that need more intensive monitoring
of their blood glucose levels to optimize their
insulin regimens can have a continuous
glucose monitor (CGM) placed in our clinic.
Over the week that our patients wear this
device, they get real-life experience with what
a CGM feels like and the type of information it
can offer. Their glucose is measured over 250
times daily by the subcutaneous sensor and
they have constant visual feedback regarding
their blood glucose level and its predicted
trend. This valuable information leads to
optimization of their insulin regime.
Finally, we held our first annual summertime
diabetes marathon. This event served multiple
purposes. We offered diabetes education on
topics identified as areas of interest by our
school-age population, it was a chance for
peer support and mentoring, diabetes school
forms were completed in a timely manner;
and we ended the day with a group walk/run
showcasing the beneficial effects of exercise
on insulin sensitivity.
Pediatric Gastroenterology
A Focus on Research
The pediatric GI faculty remains actively
engaged in valuable and relevant clinical
research in various areas of childhood
digestive diseases, including eosinophilic
disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, autism
and clostridium difficile infection. We maintain
the largest natural history database/registry of
patients with eosinophilic esophagitis in the
DoD, and have published several studies
regarding early risk factors for, as well as
innovative
diagnostic
and
therapeutic
modalities in, the management of eosinophilic
esophagitis. Our efforts in the research of
autistic spectrum disorders have identified
unique
co-morbid
metabolic
and
gastrointestinal
associations,
while
our
epidemiologic research in the development of
clostridium difficile infections have revealed
critical insight into the pharmacologic and
clinical risk factors of this serious intestinal
infection. Our staff is also credentialed at NIH
and involved in various collaborative efforts in
clinical research and consultation.
Dr. Cade Nylund
from Pediatric
Gastroenterology
performing endoscopy in
the pediatric endoscopy
suite to evaluate a child
with recurrent vomiting
in order to identify the
diagnosis and determine
a treatment plan.