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Pediatric Genetics at the Harvey Institute for Human Genetics
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Diagnosing, counseling and managing individuals and families with many different genetic conditions
Some children are born with differences in body structure, brain development, or body chemistry that can lead to problems with health, development, school performance, and/or social interaction. Pediatric geneticists are trained to identify the causes and natural history of these disorders. They may suggest tests and treatments that can help in understanding and caring for your child’s condition. Pediatric geneticists also help families understand if some conditions are hereditary and offer testing to family members who may be at risk for having children with similar problems. Patients who seek genetic counseling and evaluation typically have:
- Birth defect(s)
- Family history of a genetic condition
- Known or suspected genetic syndrome or disorder
- Intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder
Currently, our clinic does not evaluate or treat patients over the age of 18 for hypermobility or Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS).
Antonie D. Kline, MD
Director, Clinical Genetics
Medical Director, The Randolph B. Capone Cleft Lip and Palate Program
Dr. Kline is the medical director of the Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation and a member of the professional advisory boards of Alstrom Syndrome International and the 5p- Society. Her areas of expertise include evaluation of multiple birth defects and/or developmental issues. She is board-certified in Clinical Genetics and Pediatrics, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a Founding Fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics.
Interdisciplinary Care for Cleft Lip and Palate Conditions
The team's involvement with patients and their families can begin as early as pregnancy, when some birth defects may be diagnosed, providing interdisciplinary care to children born with facial, head and neck malformations.
About Us
What is a Pediatric Geneticist?
Pediatric geneticists are physicians with special training in both pediatrics and genetics, who serve as consultants to a patient's primary care provider. Working with both out-patients and hospital in-patients, they diagnose genetic conditions and recommend follow-up care, which is implemented by the referring physician. At the Harvey Institute, the pediatric geneticist is Dr. Antonie (Tonie) Kline. As in most genetics centers, a genetic counselor is also an integral part of GBMC's pediatric genetics team.
What Happens During a Pediatric Genetics Consultation?
Medical Records:
Whether the consultation occurs in the geneticist's office or at the bedside, all available medical records are reviewed before the patient is seen. From these, the geneticist and the genetic counselor construct a comprehensive summary of the patient's medical history.
The Visit:
An initial outpatient visit usually lasts about 90 minutes. In-patient evaluations are variable in length. The patient is examined and, with permission, photographs may be taken. At the end of the visit, all findings are reviewed with the patient's family. If genetic testing is indicated, testing will be coordinated and sent with a follow up discussion of results and implications once available.
For outpatient consultations, a written assessment is provided and recommendations are made. The referring physician is contacted immediately by telephone, if urgent, and subsequently receives a written clinical summary of the visit, a copy of which is also sent to the family. Inpatient cases are discussed with the family and with the hospital staff, who arranges for the pediatric geneticist's recommendations to be carried out. The inpatient's primary care physician receives a summary letter, a copy of which is sent to the family.
Health Insurance
Most health insurances cover outpatient genetics consultations with referral and/or precertification. Co-payments are at the specialist rate. However, just as they have contracts with specific laboratories, many health insurers have contracts with genetics providers. You should contact your health insurance company to discuss their requirements for outpatient genetics consultations. In-patient genetics consults are covered under the terms of the patient's hospitalization insurance.
Download the New Patient Packet
Pediatric geneticists are physicians with special training in both pediatrics and genetics, who serve as consultants to a patient's primary care provider. Working with both out-patients and hospital in-patients, they diagnose genetic conditions and recommend follow-up care, which is implemented by the referring physician. At the Harvey Institute, the pediatric geneticist is Dr. Antonie (Tonie) Kline. As in most genetics centers, a genetic counselor is also an integral part of GBMC's pediatric genetics team.
What Happens During a Pediatric Genetics Consultation?
Medical Records:
Whether the consultation occurs in the geneticist's office or at the bedside, all available medical records are reviewed before the patient is seen. From these, the geneticist and the genetic counselor construct a comprehensive summary of the patient's medical history.
The Visit:
An initial outpatient visit usually lasts about 90 minutes. In-patient evaluations are variable in length. The patient is examined and, with permission, photographs may be taken. At the end of the visit, all findings are reviewed with the patient's family. If genetic testing is indicated, testing will be coordinated and sent with a follow up discussion of results and implications once available.
For outpatient consultations, a written assessment is provided and recommendations are made. The referring physician is contacted immediately by telephone, if urgent, and subsequently receives a written clinical summary of the visit, a copy of which is also sent to the family. Inpatient cases are discussed with the family and with the hospital staff, who arranges for the pediatric geneticist's recommendations to be carried out. The inpatient's primary care physician receives a summary letter, a copy of which is sent to the family.
Health Insurance
Most health insurances cover outpatient genetics consultations with referral and/or precertification. Co-payments are at the specialist rate. However, just as they have contracts with specific laboratories, many health insurers have contracts with genetics providers. You should contact your health insurance company to discuss their requirements for outpatient genetics consultations. In-patient genetics consults are covered under the terms of the patient's hospitalization insurance.
Download the New Patient Packet
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