Genetics

Le Bonheur evaluates and diagnoses genetic disorders, and helps patients and their families understand and cope with these problems. Our physicians care for children with birth defects, inherited conditions, growth failure, metabolic disorders, developmental delay and at-risk situations. Follow-up appointments in UT Medical Group, Inc.'s outpatient clinics are available for those seen in consultation and needing further evaluation.

Clinical geneticists typically evaluate and treat patients with the following:

• Birth defects
• Congenital abnormalities
• At-risk situations - maternal exposure
• Developmental delay
• Chronic growth failure
• Multiple miscarriage and fetal wastage
• History of a genetic disorder in patients or a family member
• Any disorder that is genetic or thought the be genetic

The Genetics Division is responsible for the follow-up of the State of Tennessee Newborn Screening Follow-up Program. Before parents take their babies home, geneticists perform testing for rare disorders of body chemistry. All babies need these screenings, because they detect chemical changes before problems develop. Your child's pediatrician will be notified of the results. Generally parents are only notified if repeat testing is needed.

All evaluations include a three-generation family history, extensive patient history evaluation, genetic physical exam, recommendation of appropriate laboratory and X-ray evaluations, recommendation for additional specialty involvement, and any genetic counseling appropriate after completion of testing.

Find a Pediatric Geneticist
To find a board-certified pediatric geneticist, please click here.