Children’s Hospital New Orleans Genetic Disorder Treatment
A genetic disorder is a disease caused by an abnormality in the DNA. The
disorder may be apparent immediately after birth or manifest as the child
grows older. These disorders may be inherited from a single parent or
the result of several inherited genes interacting and put under stress
from environmental factors. There is a wide range of genetic diseases;
in fact, it has been discovered that genetics play a role in most diseases
a person develops.
The Department of Genetics provides the diagnosis and management of a complete
range of genetic disorders including:
Genetic syndromes
Chromosomal disorders
Metabolic disorders
Genetic causes of autism and intellectual disabilities
Skeletal dysplasia
Hereditary neurological disorders
Hereditary hearing loss
Congenital anomalies
Family history of genetic diseases
Other genetic conditions
The department participates in various multidisciplinary clinics including
the Craniofacial Clinic, the Differences in Sex Development Clinic, and
the Vascular Anomalies Clinic. In addition, the genetics team offers specialty
clinics for patients with Down syndrome, neurofibromatosis, and metabolic
disorders. Genetic counseling is also available. The department serves
as one of the referral centers for follow-up evaluations of patients who
have presumptive positive newborn screens with the Louisiana Newborn Screening
(NBS) Program.
Treating genetic disorders
The study of genetics is one of the most promising medical research areas,
but we are still a long way from finding a cure for most genetic diseases.
Treatment usually focuses on managing symptoms and preventing the manifestation
of diseases. One of the rising treatments for genetic disorders is gene
therapy which has recently been approved for a few specific disorders.
Our genetic counselors
The Children’s Hospital Genetics Department team includes several
licensed and board-certified genetic counselors who play a vital role
in the care of our patients. Genetics counselors are healthcare professionals who have specialized education and training in medical genetics.
Our team of genetic counselors helps educate patients and their families
about genetic diseases and available testing options. The team will evaluate
a patient’s risk of inherited conditions and help advise families
about a child’s genetic condition and what medical treatments and
services may be needed. In addition, the team offers supports for our
patients and families as they are adjusting to a diagnosis of a genetic disease.
professionals who have specialized education and training in medical genetics.
Our team of genetic counselors helps educate patients and their families
about genetic diseases and available testing options. The team will evaluate
a patient’s risk of inherited conditions and help advise families
about a child’s genetic condition and what medical treatments and
services may be needed. In addition, the team offers supports for our
patients and families as they are adjusting to a diagnosis of a genetic disease.
