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Diagnostic Referral Service

Diagnosing and Managing Complex Medical Conditions

At the Nemours Children's Diagnostic Referral Service (DRS), we’re specialists in diagnosing and managing complex medical conditions in kids. We see children who have conditions that are rare, new or hard to diagnose.

Pediatricians and specialists refer families who are seeking answers or need one group to coordinate all care. We support kids who need a long-term stay in the hospital or another facility.

We also teach families how to care for children with complex medical needs at home. We do this in our own hospital, as well as through our 24/7 doctor oversight for long-term pediatric care facilities in Delaware and Pennsylvania.

Our unique program, which operates in the Delaware Valley service area, means that families are never on their own. We’ll do everything we can to improve your child’s quality of life.

Find Diagnostic Referral Care From Nemours Children's

We have many pediatric diagnostic referral specialists and locations — find the closest to you:  

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Conditions & Treatments

We see a wide range of conditions — far too many to list here. The conditions we treat vary depending on the location and providers selected. Don’t see a condition listed? Call us.

  • Care before and after liver transplants
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Failure to thrive
  • Fever without a known cause
  • Recurring (repeated) abdominal pain

Expert Diagnosis and Support for Children With Rare Conditions

We have expertise in diagnosing and managing rare conditions, so that families always have one place to go for answers and support. Our patients also benefit from expertise shared by the National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C.

  • We have one doctor follow your child’s care. The same doctor follows your child during both outpatient visits and hospital admissions. The entire team gets to know your child during an inpatient stay. 
  • We coordinate all of your child’s care. We assure total care, from home visits and medical equipment needs to procedures, therapy and all specialist appointments. We’ll also work with your child’s school. 
  • We follow up on abnormal newborn screenings. If your baby has had an abnormal screening, our team will get in touch with you. We’ll guide you through and find answers, even for conditions that are difficult to diagnose. 
  • We work with the Clinic for Special Children. We established the Clinic for Special Children in Dover and help coordinate all hospital services. We also work closely with the Amish and Mennonite communities in the area. 
  • 30+ Nemours Children's specialists we work with
  • 6 Doctors on our team
  • 11,000+ Newborn screenings done each year in Delaware