Personal Health Services
Genetics Program & Genetics Clinic
No Fee - For more information, call 618-692-8954 ext. 2 or Carla Gillespie (296-6062).
Target Audience
Children with known or suspected genetic conditions, children with developmental delays, families and caretakers of children who die unexpectedly, and infants who fail newborn screenings.
Eligibility or Criteria
Individuals in the above target groups.
Description
The genetics program is designed to make the public aware of genetic disorders through education of individuals and communities. The nurse provides education to health care providers and clinics throughout the county to help identify genetic conditions. The nurse also provides education, referrals, and emotional support to families and caretakers of individuals diagnosed with a genetic disorder. The nurse works closely with physicians to assure appropriate treatment and referrals are made for children who fail newborn screenings. For infants that die unexpectedly, the nurse makes a home visit to the family and/or the caretaker of the infant to provide emotional support and referrals to agencies for group support and grieving assistance. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) support groups are a beneficial resource for many families. This program began in 1999 at Madison County Health Department.
Madison County Health Department and Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital are partners in presenting a Genetics Clinic at Madison County Health Department on the second Thursday of every other month. A geneticist from Cardinal Glennon comes to the health department once per month to examine and evaluate patients, recommends appropriate treatment of the condition, refers clients for further testing and provides education to the clients. Genetic counselors also attend the clinic, so patients receive comprehensive services at the Madison County Health Department clinic site.
Benefits
Provides individuals with education, referrals to appropriate providers, and emotional support for genetic disorders. Emotional support is provided for families and caretakers of infants who die unexpectedly and for families grieving the loss of an infant from sudden infant death syndrome.