We identify structural modifications of organs, tissues and cells to diagnose paediatric diseases and work towards personalised treatments.
The Anatomical Pathology Department at SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital analyses the changes that occur in organs, tissues and cells in the different paediatric, maternal-fetal and gynaecological diseases to learn about their origin and to help determine guidelines for clinical implementation. At our facilities, we analyse samples from the clinical departments and units of the Hospital and external centres that contact our institution for an initial diagnosis or for a second anatomical pathology evaluation .
The Anatomical Pathology Team arrives at a diagnosis based on the observation of the morphological lesions produced by the different diseases in organs, tissues and cells. Through the evaluation of the patient's clinical context and the histomolecular abnormalities characteristic of certain diseases, we diagnose a great number of paediatric diseases in a precise, fast and reliable way.
Why SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital?
We cover all areas of pathology, including rare diseases, which represent a large volume within the pediatric stage.
Experience in paediatric and women's diseases
We cover all areas of pathology, including rare diseases, which represent a large volume within the pediatric stage.
Our highly specialised paediatric disease professionals focus on diseases that occur exclusively or predominantly in the early stages of life. Some diseases have a similar morphology in children and adults, but the criteria for their diagnosis are often different for each age group. We also study diseases that can affect adolescents in their transition to adulthood and we train future national and international pathologists in this specialty.
We have extensive experience in maternal-fetal and gynaecological diseases. We are specialists in the diagnosis of the physiological and pathological processes that affect women during gestation and in other stages of the life.
Our triple mission is to support diagnosis, transmit knowledge and investigate the causes, consequences and specific responses of each organ to different diseases.
Contribution to the progress of research
Our triple mission is to support diagnosis, transmit knowledge and investigate the causes, consequences and specific responses of each organ to different diseases.
- Through the Biobank of the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital (BHISJDI), one of the few in Europe dedicated exclusively to paediatric samples. The close relationship between the Anatomical Pathology Department and the Biobank ensures the optimal use of surgical samples for diagnosis and world-class research. BHISJDI safeguards and manages more than 6,000 biological samples and is part of the National Network of Biobanks and the Tumour Bank Network of Catalunya.
- We work closely with the clinical departments and other diagnostic areas of the Hospital to offer the best possible care to paediatric patients. This close collaboration ensures the efficient integration of all relevant clinical information for a final diagnosis of the highest quality.
We study highly complex diseases. Every year we analyze more than 12,000 samples, of which 9,000 are biopsies.
Personalised treatments and a commitment to quality
We study highly complex diseases. Every year we analyze more than 12,000 samples, of which 9,000 are biopsies.
- We work together with faculties of other specialties in the detection of possible therapeutic targets, the basis of personalised medicine. In some diseases, anatomopathological diagnoses combined with the prediction of response to specific treatments allow us to establish the most suitable and effective treatment and follow-up plan.
- The total number of analyzes carried out has increased by more than 30% in the last 4 years and the Biobank collects more than 6,000 samples, mostly from pediatric patients.
- All Department Staff works under strict quality management systems and implement the policies and procedures. We comply with the international standards UNE-EN ISO 9001 and UNE-EN ISO 15189. In addition, we have state-of-the-art technical equipment and share technological resources with the Hospital Clinic.
Services we can offer
The Anatomical Pathology Department at SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital covers all areas of pathology, including rare diseases, which represent a significant proportion of paediatric conditions.
Specialties
The main areas in the Hospital in terms of the number of cases and specialised technical requirements, are the following:
Complete study of cytology samples, biopsies and other surgical samples of different paediatric specialties. Intraoperative study of cytology, biopsies and surgical specimens.
Endometrial aspirates, biopsies and surgical specimens, exfoliative cytology, breast punctures and Tru-cut biopsies, fetal, perinatal and neonatal autopsies and embryo study.
Histomolecular diagnosis of solid tumours affecting children from the perinatal stage to the age of 18 (brain tumours, osseous and soft tissue sarcomas, lymphomas and other benign and malignant tumours at any location).
Study of congenital malformations, metabolic diseases, perinatal pathology, diseases of the central nervous system and myopathies (paediatric muscle biopsy).
Study of cytology samples, biopsies and autopsies of all types of rare disease, particularly neuromuscular and metabolic diseases.
Perform autopsies and definitive post-mortem diagnosis, integrated with the clinical teams.
Our professionals
"We are committed to quality procedures and specialized pediatric and women pathology"
- Ainara Blancas Garrido, laboratory technician.
Research
Contributing to the progress of research is a key task for the Anatomical Pathology Department at SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital, which is part of several initiatives.
- Research of several diseases, notably:
- Solid tumours (gliomas and other brain tumours, neuroblastoma).
- Neuromuscular diseases.
- Obstetric and perinatal pathologies.
- Collaboration in clinical trials led by SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital.
- Publication of fifty articles in the period 2014 - 2016, all in indexed national and international scientific journals.