title: The University of Mississippi Medical Center's Antenatal Diagnostic Unit: on the cutting edge of tomorrow.
abstract: Prenatal diagnosis is a rapidly expanding field in the specialty of obstetrics. Modern providers of perinatal care must understand the fundamentals of inherited disease and keep abreast of advances in antenatal diagnosis. Pivotal in providing appropriate evaluation in this area is a referral center that is capable of affording the necessary evaluation, documentation and consultation. Although pregnancy termination is an option for some couples, many will use the information provided to prepare emotionally and financially for the birth of a child with special problems and needs. Some diagnoses will change obstetric management during the remainder of pregnancy or will lead to a recommendation for delivery at a tertiary medical facility. Other women with medical conditions warrant preconception counseling regarding pregnancy management and likelihood of a successful outcome. Patients with genetic disorders within their families may desire carrier detection through DNA analysis. Finally, women on medications at or near the time of conception frequently have concerns regarding potential teratogenesis. The ADU represents a commitment by both the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the University of Mississippi Medical Center to furnish these services to providers and patients of the State of Mississippi.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson.
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D008922:Mississippi; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000639:trends