Metabolics Clinic

You will need to bring the following items to your appointment:

• health card
• relevant medical records and medication list
• developmental assessments
• relevant dietary records

Please consider signing up for a MyChart account before your first visit.

Our scheduling team will contact you by phone to schedule an appointment.

During your visit, you may be seen by the following health care providers:

• a nurse who will review medications and collect measurements
• doctors with special expertise in genetic metabolic disorders
• dietitians who specialize in the nutrition issues of IMDs,
• psychologists and social workers

CHEO is a teaching hospital, you/your child may be seen by a medical student, resident, fellow, or other learners.

You will be asked questions about your/your child’s pregnancy and birth, your/your child’s medical history, and your family history (on both parents’ sides). The doctor will also do a physical examination.

Depending on the information you provide and the results of the physical examination, the doctor may offer additional testing for you/your child. This could include blood or urine tests or imaging (e.g. x-rays or MRI).

Parents may also need to give a blood sample, so be sure to bring a valid health card.

You will have follow-up with a member of our team to review the results of any requested tests.

All patients must be referred by a Physician or Nurse Practitioner.

After a referral is received, we will notify the referring Physician or Nurse Practitioner whether the referral has been accepted or denied, and if accepted we will provide an estimated wait time. This wait time can vary based on demand and urgency. Once we have an appointment spot to offer, our Scheduling Team will reach you by phone to schedule an appointment.

• For any emergency, call 911. This includes emergencies involving your child’s IMD
• For patients who are being followed by the Metabolics Clinic: For patients who have seen a CHEO Metabolics Provider, call your Nurse Case Manager or send a direct message to them through MyChart. This is not for urgent calls. Our nurses are here to give support, education, and will work to coordinate your child’s care. It may take 3-5 days for us to get back to you (and sometimes longer during holidays). We will return the most urgent calls first. Please avoid leaving multiple messages for the same issue.
• For patients who are waiting for their first visit with the Metabolics Clinic: Please do not call the nurses line if you have not yet been seen by a CHEO Metabolics Provider. Please call your family doctor, pediatrician, or visit your nearest walk-in clinic.

We may need to perform tests, either on the same day as your visit or at a later date. These tests may include:

• blood tests
• urine tests
• x-rays or other medical imaging
• skin biopsies

If needed at later visits, more specialized testing could be requested. These tests and the results will be discussed with you at your clinic visits.

You, or your child, have been referred for assessment because your doctor feels there is a chance you may have an Inherited metabolic diseases (IMD). A Metabolics physician may recommend specific testing to help make the diagnosis. If you, or your child, are found to have an IMD, the Metabolics physician will make sure you receive the correct treatment.