Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/55875
SPECIAL FEATURE Dr. Mancuso says pat ients are often referred for prenatal genetic counseling and testing because of a suspected fetal anomaly, family history of a genetic disorder, or because they have previously had a child with a genetic problem. Sometimes, even seemingly unrelated issues turn out to have an underlying genetic compo- nent that, if undetected, could affect the pregnancy. "I have seen moms who have gone their whole lives with a cardiac prob- lem, and no one ever said, 'This is associated with a rare genetic disorder. It may be something you could pass on to your child, and we should test for it,'" says Dr. Mancuso. Maternal Fetal Diagnostics When a genetic condition or birth defect is suspected, the D. Gary Benfield, MD, Fetal Treatment Center, established in 2002, provides educa- tion, counseling and a range of fetal diagnostic tests and interventions. The center was born of a coalition between neonatology, genetics and perinatology. It relocated to Akron Children's Considine Building near the Maternal Fetal Medicine Center in the summer of 2011 to offer easier access for high-risk patients. "In the past, it was frequently a surprise when children were born with birth defects," says Dr. Robinson, who helped found Akron Children's first genetic center in 1977 when amniocentesis was just emerging as an important genetic test. "The idea behind the Fetal Treatment Center is that, if we can go upstream to identify more problems before birth, we can not only be better prepared in the delivery room or NICU, but we can potentially treat certain problems in utero." The Fetal Treatment Center offers basic as well as advanced diagnostic tools to detect fetal problems and begin treatment planning as early as possible. Imaging tests include ultrasound (including nuchal translu- cency with serum screening for Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities), ultrafast MRI and fetal echocardiogram to detect con- genital heart problems or structural defects in the spine or internal organs. Akron Children's offers amniocentesis, QuadScreen and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) testing to screen for or diagnose other fetal abnormali- ties or chromosomal problems. If screening suggests a prenatal prob- lem, Akron Children's offers Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS), an alternative to amniocentesis which can be performed earlier, giving expectant parents more time for counseling and planning. The Prenatal Genetic Center offers parents genetic disorder testing, full interpreta- tion of results and expert genetic counseling services and guidance. Maternal fetal medicine specialist Melissa Mancuso, MD, coordinates care for high-risk pregnancies and offers patients full genetic counseling and treatment, ensuring seamless care for moms and babies. 20 | Cleveland-Akron-Canton MD NEWS n MDNEWS.COM n MARCH-APRIL 2012