Reproductive genetics is health care that focuses on defining risks for heritable conditions and/or identifying an underlying genetic cause for abnormalities found in a pregnancy.
The UCLA Reproductive Genetics Program, developed by UCLA Obstetrics and Gynecology, is a multidisciplinary program under the leadership of Sulagna C. Saitta, MD, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynecology and Deborah Krakow, MD, Professor and Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Genetics, and Orthopedic Surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
Reproductive Genetics at UCLA includes an Advanced Diagnostics multidisciplinary service integrating medical geneticists, anatomic and molecular pathologists, fetal MRI/imaging, fetal medicine prenatal imaging experts in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Radiology, as well as pediatric cardiologists, neonatologists and surgeons focused on congenital birth defects.
This program utilizes UCLA Health’s expertise in genomic medicine including cytogenetics, microarray testing and clinical prenatal exome sequencing to guide diagnosis and management of pregnancies affected by fetal anomalies. In addition, it provides genetic counseling, testing and management of patients themselves affected by a genetic condition. UCLA OBGYN is leading this effort to bring precision medicine to the prenatal period, allowing for diagnoses that improve care. In addition, a partnership with experts in the Division of Fertility and Reproductive Health allows us to impact the reproductive futures of the families we serve.
The Advanced Prenatal Diagnosis program at UCLA offers a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing birth defects or genetic abnormalities in the growing fetus. This includes a team of maternal fetal medicine specialists, genetic counselors, geneticists, reproductive endocrinologists, and experts in prenatal cytogenetics and pathology. Through a collaborative approach we offer the following genetic counseling, genetic screening and diagnostic testing and services.
Genetic Counseling
Prenatal genetic counselors work with individuals and couples who have an increased chance of having a child with a birth defect or genetic condition. At your appointment, the genetic counselor will go over your detailed family and medical history and help you make decisions about screening and testing during your pregnancy. Women at increased risk who may benefit from genetic counseling include:
When a fetal anomaly is suspected or detected during routine screening, you will first receive a comprehensive diagnostic ultrasound evaluation. It is then determined if additional advanced screening and diagnostic testing is needed.
Genetic Screening at UCLA includes:
Advanced Diagnostic Testing offers:
Advanced Genetic Testing at UCLA is used to check for chromosomal abnormalities and single-gene disorders. This includes:
In addition, we offer consultation and where appropriate, management of patients with known genetic disorders who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. We partner with other UCLA specialists in programs including Cardiology, Orthopedics, and Biochemical Genetics, among others, to develop a comprehensive maternal care team.
Sulagna C. Saitta, MD, PhD, Professor of UCLA Pediatrics and UCLA Obstetrics and Gynecology, Director, Reproductive Genetics
Deborah Krakow, MD, Professor and Chair of UCLA Obstetrics and Gynecology, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Professor of Human Genetics at UCLA
Aparna Murali, MS, Prenatal Genetic Counselor, UCLA Obstetrics and Gynecology
Christina Han, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of UCLA Obstetrics and Gynecology and Division Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine expert team
Telephone: 310-794-7700
