Pediatrics

Overview of the department

We are responsible for the treatment of children with common diseases, including infectious diseases, and those requiring specialized treatment, involving the fields of immunology/allergy, hematology/oncology, metabolism/endocrinology, neurology/development, cardiology, premature infants/neonatology, and nephrology. Multidisciplinary care is performed for children with diseases of various fields, involving several organs, and refractory diseases that may cause various complications.

Consultation system/therapeutic strategies

Outpatient medical care

Treatment is provided in comprehensive and specialized outpatient clinics. Emergencies can be managed based on a 24-hour system in cooperation with the Emergency Outpatient Unit.

Admission care

Several attending physicians are responsible for the treatment of children who are admitted in accordance with the type of disease. In addition to cooperation in the Department of Pediatrics, optimal treatment is conducted based on a close cooperation system with physicians belonging to other departments, such as the Department of Surgery and Department of Radiology. Furthermore, there is a hospital school; therefore, when long-term admission is required, children can continue to receive compulsory education while being treated.

Fields of expertise

Immune/allergic diseases

The most advanced diagnosis/treatment, involving fractional exhaled nitric oxide measurement in addition to respiratory function tests, is provided for children with bronchial asthma. For the diagnosis of food allergy, food challenge tests are introduced. In addition to treatment based on an accurate diagnosis, oral immunotherapy is performed. The advanced treatment with biologic agents is provided for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. In children with primary immunodeficiency, immune function tests are performed. If necessary, specialized care, such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, is provided.

Hematologic diseases/malignancies

It is possible to treat serious blood diseases with specialized therapeutic management, such as aplastic anemia, which is difficult to manage in the absence of experienced medical staff. Furthermore, we are participating in nation-wide childhood cancer study groups for leukemia/lymphoma/solid tumors (neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, etc.), and promoting the most advanced clinical treatment research. As the sole medical institute in Fukui prefecture certified by Japan Marrow Donor Program and public cord blood banks, chemotherapy combined with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can be provided for children with relapsed and refractory malignancies.

Metabolic/endocrine diseases

It is possible to promptly diagnose inborn errors of metabolism using a tandem mass spectrometer. Specialized treatment for children with inborn errors of metabolism and endocrine diseases, including growth disorders and diabetes, is provided.

Neurological diseases/neurodevelopmental disorder

The diagnosis/treatment of neurological diseases including encephalitis/encephalopathy, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and neuromuscular diseases are conducted. Comprehensive medical practice, involving detailed evaluation of neurodevelopmental and psychosomatic disorders, diagnosis, psychological counseling, and drug therapy, is provided.

Neonates/neurodevelopment

Growth/developmental evaluations/support are provided for infants discharged from the NICU. In the endemic season of RS virus, palivizumab prophylaxis is conducted to prevent severe infection.

Cardiovascular diseases

We are responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases, including congenital heart disease and Kawasaki disease.

Kidney disease

We are responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and congenital urinary tract malformations.

Advanced medical practice

Immune function analysis

Analysis of cell surface markers of leukocytes involved in the etiology or pathogenesis of immune/allergic diseases, as well as analysis of cellular functions, such as cytokine production, are conducted in our laboratory. Our therapeutic strategies are based on the results of analysis.

Diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism using a tandem mass spectrometer

The chemical diagnosis of organic acid metabolism disorder and fatty acid oxidation disturbance using a tandem mass spectrometer is possible.

Symptoms/diseases treated in our department

Infectious diseases. Bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, and food allergy. Childhood cancers such as leukemia and neuroblastoma. Urinary tract infection, hematuria, and proteinuria. Inborn errors of metabolism, short stature, obesity, precocious puberty, and disorders of sexual development. Neuromuscular diseases such as epilepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disorder, and psychosomatic disorder. Congenital heart disease, arrhythmia, Kawasaki disease, and neonatal chronic lung disease.

Primary examinations and explanations

Ultrasonography. Various allergen-provocation tests (such as food challenge tests)/ respiratory function tests. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide measurement. Bone marrow examination. Development/intelligence test. Video-monitoring electroencephalography.