Medical genetics is the branch of medicine concerned with how hereditary and genetic factors play a role in causing a disease, birth defect or inherited susceptibility to a health problem. The Division of Genetics at Children's of Mississippi offers comprehensive evaluation and treatment for known or suspected inherited disorders. Our genetics team includes five board-certified geneticists and four board-certified genetic counselors who service the adult, pediatric and prenatal patient population of Mississippi.
Pediatric genetics is a medical specialty for children and involves the evaluation of patients for dysmorphic features, metabolic conditions, and heritable syndromes. Many disorders of childhood have an inherited or genetic cause. Our geneticists and genetic counselors work together to determine if a child or adolescent has a recognized genetic syndrome. This can allow planning for the child's current and future needs.
Clinical services are provided for prenatal counseling and testing for pregnant women.
Counseling (before symptoms appear) and testing services for inherited mutations in at-risk healthy adults are also available. A full range of cytogenetic, biochemical and molecular testing is available.
Learn more about our genetic services for children:
Who should see a geneticist or genetic counselor?
A referral is appropriate for any individual with (but not limited to) the following:
- Abnormal genetic testing results and/or abnormal newborn screening results
- Birth defects
- Neurologic and/or neuromuscular disorders
- Developmental delay/intellectual disability/mental retardation
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Failure to thrive, short stature or overgrowth
- Skeletal/bone dysplasia
- Vision loss/hearing loss
- Inherited blood disorders
- Inborn errors of metabolism
- Individuals with dysmorphic features
- Skin/dental disorders with a suspected genetic etiology
- Certain types of cancers or a strong family history of cancer
- Seizures
Clinics
In cooperation with other specialists, we coordinate or participate in clinics devoted to certain complicated conditions, including:
- General genetics clinic
- Craniofacial clinic (cleft lip and palate)
- 22q11.2 Deletion syndrome clinic
- Adult cancer clinic
- Children's cancer clinic
- Fetal team clinic
- First trimester screening clinic
- Genetic counseling clinic