Pediatrics/Medical Genetics at Children's, Kansas City

The Pediatric Medical Genetics department at Children’s Mercy Hospital provides evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and genetic counseling for a variety of inherited disorders (cystic fibrosis in children), genetic birth defects, chromosomal disorders and concerns about family medical histories.

What is the role of Pediatrics/Medical Genetics at Children's?
Pediatric Medical Genetics staff at Children’s Mercy provide state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic care for patients with conditions of genetic origin such as autism, genetic birth defects, mental retardation and other genetic disorders. In addition to the expertise of highly trained and skilled geneticists, we offer sophisticated laboratory services and a comprehensive pediatric patient and family education program. Our Pediatrics/Medical Genetics staff welcomes opportunities to assist families, local physicians and other health professionals regarding genetic issues.

Why is Medical Genetics important to Pediatrics?
Medical Genetics studies the causes of human biologic variation by all methods of human genetics, teratology and medicine. We welcome referrals of both children and adults, generally providing the entire family with genetic counsultation. Our pediatric medical genetics counselors and pediatric clinical geneticists provide patients and their families with diagnosis, treatment, management and information about the prevention of genetic and congenital disorders.

We work as a team to care for children and adults with genetic disorders, mental retardation and developmental disabilities. See the following for more information and newsletters on the most common diagnoses that require Medical Genetics care:
Medical Genetics Newsletters
Type 2 Diabetes

Pediatric Medical Genetics Staff

• Ardinger, Holly H. , MD
  Genetics Section Chief, Pediatric Geneticist/Dysmorphologist, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
• Bittell, Douglas C. , PhD
  Manager, Genetics Research Laboratory, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
• Heese, Bryce A. , MD, MA
  Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
• Saunders, Carol , PhD
  Director of Clinical Molecular Genetics and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory
• Smith, Laurie D. , MD, PhD
  Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, UMKC School of Medicine
• Strauss, Bernarda , MD
  Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
• Talebizadeh, Zohreh , PhD
  Research Associate Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
• White, Robert , PhD
  Director, Molecular Genetics Research Laboratory Associate Professor of Pediatrics, UMKC School of Medicine

Pediatric Medical Genetics:

Medical Genetics Diagnoses

• Abnormal newborn state genetic screening
• Autism
• Genetic birth defects
• Chromosome abnormalities
• Down syndrome
• Failure to thrive
• Family history of birth defects
• Fragile X syndrome
• Genetic disorders (known or suspected):
  Fetal abnormalities
  Neurologic or pulmonary problems
  Skeletal/muscular disorders
  
• Growth Abnormalities
• Intrauterine teratogen exposure
• Mental retardation
• Metabolic abnormalities
• Multiple miscarriage
• Prader-Willi syndrome
• Prenatal diagnosis
• Skeletal, neuromuscular disorders

Pediatric Medical Genetics:

Services & Treatments

• Genetic counseling
  
  
• Diagnostic evaluation and treatment
  
  
• Extensive family counseling provided by:
  Genetic counselors
  Clinical geneticists
  Nutritionists
  Social workers
  
  
• Service coordination with:
  Community resource organizations
  Durable medical equipment vendors
  Home health nursing
  Nutritional support staff
  Primary care physicians
  
  

Medical Genetics Clinics

• Medical Genetics Outreach Clinic
  
  
• Down Syndrome Clinic
  
  
• Outreach and Support Services
  
  

Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics is the Kansas City region's exclusive pediatric medical center and health care network. Our physicians, nurses and technicians are all trained specifically to work with children. We provide the finest care possible in the following pediatric subspecialties: Adolescent Medicine; Allergy/Asthma/Immunology; Anesthesiology; Bone Marrow Transplant; Burn/Trauma Care; Cardiology; Cardiovascular Surgery; Cleft Palate/Craniofacial; Comprehensive Sleep Disorders Center; Critical Care Medicine; Dentistry; Dermatology; Developmental and Behavioral Sciences; Ear, Nose and Throat (Otorhinolaryngology); Emergency Medicine; Endocrinology/Diabetes; Gastroenterology; General Pediatrics; General/Thoracic/Urologic Surgery; Genetics; Gynecological Surgery; Hearing and Speech; Liver Transplant; Hematology/Oncology; Hospitalists; Infectious Disease; Medical Research; Medical Toxicology; Minimally Invasive Surgery; Neonatology; Nephrology: Kidney Transplant; Neurology; Neurosurgery; Nursing; Occupational Therapy; Home Care; Ophthalmology; Orthopaedic Surgery; Pathology/Laboratory Medicine; Pharmacology; Physical Therapy; Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Pulmonology; Radiology; Rehabilitation Medicine; Respiratory Care; Rheumatology; Transport; Click here for additional information.