Genetic factors influence virtually all types of pediatric diseases, and many genetic disorders seriously influence the quality of the patients’ and their families’ lives. The division is one of the largest in the United States and is the oldest and most recognized referral center of its type in the Pacific Northwest. Through an extensive network of outreach clinics, we also provide outpatient care to children in the WWAMI region. Faculty in the division have varied academic backgrounds and are drawn from many disciplines, including human/medical genetics, neurology, developmental/behavioral pediatrics, developmental biology and biochemistry.
Through our academic partnerships at the University of Washington, we provide postdoctoral training programs in medical genetics and biochemical genetics. Our training programs are among the oldest in the country, and many of our alumni hold leadership positions at other institutions. Faculty in the division are involved in many research areas, including research into rare and common disorders of childhood, birth defects (heart, limb, brain), neurodevelopmental disabilities, biochemical/metabolic diseases, gene therapy and population genetics/evolution.
Seattle Children's Prenatal Diagnosis and Treatment Program provides care for pregnant women and their families when the pregnancy is complicated by known or suspected conditions in the developing fetus. Our program integrates obstetric and pediatric specialty care for families facing complicated pregnancy management or decision-making. When a disorder is detected before birth, outcomes may be improved by treating the fetus or by condition-specific management of the pregnancy, labor and delivery.
Reasons for referral include abnormal parental screening or chromosome analysis, suspected fetal structural abnormalities, risks identified through genetic testing or genetic counseling, maternal health conditions which may affect the fetus and family history of a child with a congenital abnormality or genetic disorder.