Batten Disease Clinic
A National Leader in Caring for Children With Batten Disease
Batten Disease Clinic
Nationwide Children’s is a designated a Center of Excellence by the BDSRA Foundation, the largest research and support organization in North America for families that have children with Batten disease. Chosen because of its clinical and research history with the disease and its ability to provide comprehensive care for these unique children, Nationwide Children's is one of only a handful of organizations in the U.S. with this designation.
Learn More About Our Team
At Nationwide Children's, patients with Batten disease are evaluated and cared for by a team that includes pediatric neurologists, pediatric nurse practitioners, registered nurses, social workers and genetic counselors. Additional consultations are available from pediatric cardiologists, pulmonologists and gastroenterologists.
Emily de los Reyes, MD , a pediatric neurologist, is the lead clinician for Batten Disease at Nationwide Children's.
What is Batten Disease?
Also known as Spielmeyer-Vogt-Sjogren-Batten disease, Batten disease is the most common form of a group of disorders called neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (or NCLs). Although Batten disease is usually regarded as the juvenile form of NCL, it has now become the term which encompasses all forms of NCL. Batten disease is a congenital, progressive, and terminal neurological disease. Patients with Batten disease have cognitive impairment, loss of developmental milestones, and epilepsy. Sight and hearing may also be impaired.
Meet Our Patients
Meet Dr. De Los Reyes
Dr. Emily De Los Reyes, director of the Nationwide Children’s Batten Disease Center of Excellence, and her team are bringing new hope to families who were once told that Batten disease, a rare genetic disorder, would leave their children blind, bedridden and suffering symptoms of dementia.