Main Activities of the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital
Orthopedics and Traumatology
The department specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system in children and adolescents. The clinic performs surgeries for:
- scoliosis;
- congenital limb deformities;
- hip dysplasia;
- fractures;
- bone tumors;
- neuromuscular disorders, such as cerebral palsy (CP).
The Sant Joan de Déu Children’s Hospital is a reference center under Spain’s National Health System (CSUR) for brachial plexus surgery. This allows local surgeons to perform high-tech reconstructive interventions in severe cases of birth injuries. Minimally invasive techniques, such as endoscopic arthroscopy, are also actively used here. A specialized pediatric rehabilitation program is used for postoperative recovery.
Neurology and Neurosurgery
The department provides assistance to children with epilepsy, brain and spinal cord tumors, hydrocephalus, traumatic brain injuries, and congenital pathologies of the nervous system. The hospital performs complex neurosurgical procedures, including resection of epileptogenic zones, implantation of neurostimulators, surgical treatment of seizures, and correction of craniosynostosis. The medical team includes highly specialized neurosurgeons such as Dr. José Hinojosa Mena-Bernal, as well as experienced pediatric neurologists. Physicians employ advanced neuroimaging techniques (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), tractography), intraoperative neuromonitoring, and neuronavigation.
Oncology and Hematology
One of the largest pediatric oncology departments in Spain. Various forms of leukemia, lymphoma, brain tumors, soft tissue sarcomas, neuroblastomas, and other oncological diseases in children are treated here. The department actively participates in international clinical trials and collaborates with the Research in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Group of Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IRSJD). Treatment options include bone marrow transplantation (both allogeneic and autologous), chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. To diagnose pediatric cancer, doctors at Sant Joan de Déu use genomic sequencing and molecular tumour profiling. This enables them to select targeted therapy tailored to each young patient.
Maternal and Fetal Medicine (BCNatal)
A joint centre with Hospital Clínic, BCNatal specializes in managing high-risk pregnancies and fetal medicine. BCNatal offers:
- prenatal diagnosis of developmental defects;
- intrauterine surgeries (for example, for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome in monozygotic twins, diaphragmatic hernia);
- interventions for abnormalities of the heart, urinary system, and central nervous system of the fetus.
The center is equipped with high-precision expert-level ultrasound devices, a fetal MRI scanner, and equipment for fetal surgery, including fetoscopy.
Institute of Rare Diseases (IPER)
IPER brings together specialists from various disciplines to diagnose and treat rare (orphan) diseases in children. The focus is on genetic and metabolic disorders, syndromic forms of congenital anomalies, and hereditary diseases of the nervous and muscular systems. Genetic research is carried out here, including:
- whole exome and genome sequencing;
- biochemical analyses;
- precision diagnostics.
The Centre collaborates with international registries and research projects, ensuring access to the latest therapeutic strategies, including experimental drugs and molecular therapy.
Diagnostic Imaging
The department is equipped with the latest MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) systems (including 3 Tesla), CT (computed tomography) scan, digital radiography, ultrasound, and PET (positron emission tomography) scanners. Specialists perform comprehensive imaging of organs and tissues using 3D reconstruction and image fusion programs. This approach is especially important in cardiology, oncology, neurosurgery, and prenatal diagnostics. Sant Joan de Déu Children’s Hospital is one of the few institutions in Europe using intraoperative MRI during surgeries.
Laboratory Diagnostics
The center combines such areas of medicine as hematology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, genetics, and transfusion medicine. The laboratory plays a vital role in supporting all hospital departments by providing rapid diagnostics for infections, metabolic disorders, rare genetic conditions, and immunodeficiencies. Services include PCR, next generation sequencing, cytogenetics, HLA typing, and determination of minimal residual disease in pediatric hemato-oncology patients.
Platform for Advanced Therapies (PPT)
This is a translational research and clinical unit developing innovative treatment, primarily in the areas of cell and gene therapy. The platform includes certified cleanrooms for cell product manufacturing, a tissue bioengineering department, and GMP laboratories. It supports personalized oncology approaches (for example, CAR-T therapy) and conducts clinical trials of new molecules for genetic diseases.
If you are interested in receiving treatment at Sant Joan de Déu Children’s Hospital in Barcelona (Spain), please call us or fill out the feedback form. A MedTour coordinating doctor will provide a free consultation and assist you with organizing your treatment.
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