The Center's mission and primary goal is to provide quality health care for children, so they can continue to lead their normal daily lives while requiring less inpatient hospital admissions and Emergency Department visits. The Center for Pediatric Specialty Care is Good Samaritan’s multispecialty pediatric center. A pediatric specialist is a physician who has received comprehensive training in one sub specialty area of pediatrics. The different areas of expertise include cardiology, neurology, pulmonology, endocrinology, hematology, gastroenterology, and infant/child development and sleep disorders. A pediatrician may refer a child to the Center for Pediatric Specialty Care when further diagnostic testing and diagnosis is needed. Comprehensive care for children with complex special needs is also available at the Center. Due to increased demands, the Center for Pediatric Specialty Care has moved to a new expanded location at 655 Deer Park Avenue in Babylon. This new center provides 22 rooms, 180 dedicated parking spots and more appointment slots and staffing. Cardiology (Heart Conditions) A pediatric cardiologist specializes in evaluating and treating heart problems in children. Conditions such as murmurs, congenital and acquired heart diseases are evaluated with state-of-the-art diagnostic tools such as echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, Holter monitoring and stress tests. A cardiology risk reduction program is available for children with high cholesterol, obesity, hypertension and strong family history of early onset adult cardiac disease.The latest addition to Good Samaritan’s services is fetal echocardiography. It is now possible to diagnose malformed hearts in fetuses before they are born. Critical Care Division The physicians also provide follow-up care for children who are critically ill and have spent long periods of time in Good Samaritan’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Cystic Fibrosis Center (A Satellite of the Columbia University’s CF Center) Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a hereditary, chronic multisystem, life-affecting disorder. Good Samaritan’s approach to treating cystic fibrosis has progressed through the years as medical breakthroughs have been realized. State-of-the-art care is administered right here in your own community without adding the burden of travel for the management of the disease.The dedicated cystic fibrosis staff at Good Samaritan work together from a multidisciplinary approach. The specialized health care team includes physicians, nurses, social workers, nutritionists and respiratory therapists. Therapy includes prevention and treatment of lung problems, good nutrition, physical activity as well as psychological and social support.It is very important for the CF patient, parents and family members to receive current information, support, reassurance and the stability that allows individuals with this disorder to fully engage in the process of living. Pediatric and adolescent patients as well as adults with the disease are monitored and treated for acute and chronic illnesses that CF imposes on the individual. Endocrinology (Diabetes and Growth Conditions) An endocrinologist’s expertise is in the area of diseases of the endocrine (or ductless) glands. Children who may have diabetes, hypo- or hyperthyroidism, or hypo-glycemia can exhibit symptoms of weight gain/loss, chronic fatigue, sweating, thirst, frequent urination or delayed height for their age. These symptoms can be discussed with the child’s pediatrician to determine if a referral to a pediatric endocrinologist is appropriate.The growing endocrinology division has become a valuable resource for children with diabetes mellitus. Evaluation of short stature and growth delay are also performed. Gastroenterology (stomach & intestinal conditions) A pediatric gastroenterolgist can assess and treat conditions of the stomach and intestines, including inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s Disease and Colitis. When your child has symptoms of constipation, diarrhea, poor weight gain, chronic abdominal pain or frequent vomiting, your pediatrician may ask you to make an appointment at the Center for Pediatric Specialty Care.Dietary counseling is available through the center and is coordinated with registered dietitians. Hematology (blood disorders) A child may need to see a hematologist when the pediatrician detects an abnormality of the blood cells, such as iron deficiency anemia, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, platelet disorders or low white cell count. Patients with sickle cell disease are also treated here. The hematologist can diagnose and provide treatment for the child. Infant and Child Development Often a parent or pediatrician will become concerned when an infant or toddler is not meeting milestones. For instance, a child may not crawl or walk when anticipated. Some of these children were premature or ill at the time of birth. A developmental pediatrician can diagnose the child and create a treatment plan. This physician may also see patients with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Neonatology Neonatal follow-up provides care for children who were extremely premature and are at risk for respiratory syncitial virus (RSV) and other illnesses. Neurology (brain and nervous system disorders) When a child displays symptoms of a disease of the nervous system, an appointment can be made with a pediatric neurologist. A child with epilepsy (seizure disorder), migraine headaches, tics or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) will be treated by this specialist.A child’s condition can be detected earlier than in years past with the cutting-edge technology and current tests available. One of these, Integrated Visual and Auditory (IVA) Continuous Performance Test is a state-of-the-art diagnostic tool that can help diagnose ADHD. Another of the latest advances is the digital electroencephalogram (EEG), which measures the electrical activity of the brain and is utilized to perform seizure monitoring. Pulmonology (asthma and diseases of the lungs) The pediatric pulmonologist treats acute and chronic lung disease in the outpatient center. Patients with asthma, bronchio-pulmonary diplacia (BPD), recurrent croup and other breathing disorders will be cared for by the pulmonologist. The physician can use a special procedure known as bronchoscopy, which can provide direct visualization of pediatric airways. This enables a clearer view to see if foreign bodies are obstructing the airway or the ability to take a look at the anatomy of the airway.The pulmonologist can coordinate a comprehensive plan with the child’s pediatrician for management of the asthmatic child. Sleep Breathing Disorders Sleep apnea is a condition manifested when a child does not breathe properly when asleep. A child may exhibit symptoms of loud snoring, choking, coughing, turning blue or frequent awakenings. A special sleep apnea lab can accurately diagnose this condition in infants through childhood. For further information call (631) 376-4444. | 
