Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Medical clinic specifically for adults, teens with Down syndrome opens in Little Rock

From The AP:

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -— A new University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences clinic is devoted to treating adults and adolescents with Down syndrome. The center and will provide something further that that those patients need — time.

UAMS opened the clinic on August 4. The facility is to treat Down syndrome patients and others with genetic disorders starting at about age 10 or 11. The clinic is organized so that the patients will have up to an hour and a half for their appointments. Doctors need the time because some diagnoses are difficult.

Down syndrome patients are prone have heart and respiratory problems, among other health issues. The clinic in Little Rock is the first of its kind in the state and it plans to care for patients in tandem with their hometown doctors.