Challenges of Pediatric Disease in Adulthood

Abstract

Some chronic diseases — such as the rare bone disease X-linked hypophosphatemia, the impetus for a study reported within Volume 7, Issue 2 of the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews — are diagnosed in childhood but become more symptomatic in adulthood. In this editorial, the challenges, pitfalls, and opportunities regarding the care of adults with childhood-onset chronic diseases are examined using Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, congenital heart disease, and Hirschsprung disease as examples.

Keywords

• childhood-onset chronic disease
• congenital diseases
• special health care needs
• down syndrome
• cystic fibrosis
• congenital heart disease
• hirschsprung disease