Immunology
The Division of Clinical Immunology offers consultation services to patients referred for evaluation of recurrent infections, suspected or confirmed immunodeficiency disorders or fevers of unknown origin. It also provides support to patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplantation or autoimmune problems. In addition, the Division evaluates patients with drug and food allergies and conducts sensitization if necessary. The clinical immunology laboratory provides state-of-the-art assays of cellular, humoral and phagocytic immune functions. In 1991, the first bone marrow transplant was performed at Miami Childrens Hospital. Today, this service has become quite active with the addition of cord blood transplants.
Infectious Diseases
Residents rotating through the Division of Infectious Diseases are exposed to bedside consultations as well as formal lectures on infectious disease processes, prevention and treatment. Residents also have the opportunity to experience the full service viral laboratory.
Hematology/Oncology
The Division of Hematology/Oncology provides comprehensive hematological services, including diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as malignancies, hemophilia, hemoglobinopathies, anemia and coagulation disorders. It also provides oncologic management of leukemia and childhood solid tumors, a tumor registry, and bone marrow transplant facilities.
Intensive Care/Critical Care
Training Miami Childrens Hospital treats critically ill children according to their age and diagnosis. It has three intensive care units. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) treats the infants that require critical care just moments after birth as described under Neonatology. The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) treats children beyond the neonatal period that require specialized minute-to-minute care as described under Critical Care Medicine. The Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) uses sophisticated equipment to monitor children undergoing cardiovascular surgical procedures. All three intensive care units use a multidisciplinary medical and surgical approach to manage patient care.
MCH Medical Library
The MCH Library offers a collection of books, journals, audio tapes and video tapes to our staff. Interlibrary loan services provide access to other medical library collections. The Medical Library has 24-hour access through a keypad access code system. The Library also offers access to Medline and other databases through the Internet and provides access to full text publications.
Neonatology
The Division of Neonatology specializes in the care of extremely low birth weight infants (birth weight <1000 grams), infants with complex congenital malformations and infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension. The NICU is a state-of-the-art facility staffed by neonatal nurses, pediatric residents, advanced neonatal nurse practitioners and neonatologists. The NICU is equipped with high frequency ventilators, video-EEG telemetry and computerized patient records. Bedside and didactic teaching are provided and the residents actively manage patients under the direct supervision of the attending neonatologists. A dedicated Neonatal Transport Team responds 24-hours a day to transfer patients from other local institutions and overseas.
Nephrology
Evaluation of renal function, including renal biopsy, is provided by this division. Dialysis for patients in acute renal failure is also performed. The Division also offers an Enuresis Center for treatment of eneuresis associated urinary disorders.
Neurofibromatosis Center
The Neurofibromatosis Center (NF) at Miami Childrens Hospital provides comprehensive evaluation, treatment and genetic counseling to NF patients and their families, and coordinates treatment with multiple subspecialties. Neurofibromatosis is an unpredictable disorder, and caring for people with NF is complicated by the wide range of symptoms they can experience. Medical management of NF focuses on accurate diagnosis and medical surveillance to detect and treat complications as early as possible.
Neurological Surgery
All aspects of neurosurgery are available at Miami Childrens Hospital. This includes the diagnosis and treatment (surgical or nonsurgical) of diseases of the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems, their coverings (skull and spine), and their vascular supply. These diseases encompass congenital/developmental malformations or conditions, neoplasms, vascular lesions, inflammatory problems, as well as traumatic and some degenerative processes. MCH has a particularly advanced surgical epilepsy program and expertise in managing brain tumors and congenital problems such as the craniofacial (craniosynostosis) dysostoses, the latter often managed with the team of plastic surgeons . Spasticity can be treated with rhizotomies or with baclofen or botox. With strong support from the other neurosciences, there is virtually no neurological problem that cannot be treated at MCH.
Neurology
All child neurology services are provided through EEG laboratories, a seizure unit, a Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Sleep Disorder unit, and clinical neurophysiology and computerized brain mapping laboratories. A comprehensive epilepsy program includes surgical management when indicated.