Lejeune
Juan came into the world surrounded by love, and his parents were told that was enough. And yes, love did a lot.But it's not enough when there are nights without answers, harsh diagnoses, and a system that turns its back. Juan was lucky to be born.But not all children with his condition have that opportunity.The right to be born and cared for should not dependon the opinions of others.That is why the Jerome Lejeune Foundation exists. Because defending life is not just talk, it is being present, with doctors who understand, with real support, and with a commitment to accompany every step of the way.Every life matters. Every family counts.Join us in this defense.Translated with DeepL.com (free version)People with Down syndrome and other genetic intellectual disabilities have various associated vulnerabilities. Prevention is essential for their independent coexistence in society. The Lejeune Foundation provides comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and specialized medical consultations involving up to 21 health professionals, which serve as an essential clinical and therapeutic guide for patients, their families, and their primary care teams. In addition, it promotes two lines of research and develops various training programs and events to raise awareness about the importance of preventive medical care for this population. 600 patients have already visited our clinics in the city of Córdoba, Argentina. We want to reach everyone. Join us to continue caring for, researching, and defending the lives of these individuals!
According to the National Registry of Congenital Anomalies, 1,200 children with Down syndrome are born in Argentina each year. If they receive the same treatment as any other patient, they are at risk of dying prematurely. If medical professionals and families take a reactive approach to their health when symptoms appear, some associated conditions may not receive adequate treatment, whether they are detected before birth (such as heart disease or intestinal disorders) or develop after birth (such as those affecting endocrine or neurological function). This reactive and partial care increases stress on the person with a disability, disrupts and destabilizes their family, and overloads the healthcare system as a whole.
The Lejeune Consultation is a specialized, comprehensive, and interdisciplinary method of care that provides guidance to each patient with a genetic intellectual disability, their families, and their healthcare teams for optimal clinical and therapeutic management.
It consists of a three- to four-hour consultation with a pediatrician or clinician who, after reviewing previous studies and the social worker's report, inquires about family history, thoroughly evaluates each body system, and delves into the patient's daily habits. The clinician listens carefully to the family and offers recommendations based on each person's stage of development.
Each clinical case is presented to an interdisciplinary team of 12 specialties and 19 professionals, who prepare a comprehensive report. This report is used to optimize time and resources in the approach to patients with this disability, avoid situations of major stress, and accompany the family and their therapists in their medical follow-up.
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