Overview
Some diseases and disorders are caused by errors in our genes. Genetic disorders can result in a wide variety of conditions, from autism to cancer. Acting as disease detectives, the genetics and metabolism team at M Health Fairview pediatrics have many years of experience in diagnosing and treating genetic disorders and inherited metabolic conditions. From the rarest conditions to more common disorders, M Health Fairview Pediatrics offers world-leading care for genetic and metabolic disorders affecting children.
Some genetic conditions cause birth defects, problems in growth or intellectual development, or health problems that affect metabolism, the chemical reactions that your body needs to provide energy and maintain life. While some inherited metabolic disorders are diagnosed through newborn screening, others aren’t apparent until they develop into a medical condition.
Our renowned genetics and metabolism program is anchored by M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital, our nationally recognized children’s hospital located on a leading academic hospital campus in Minneapolis. We work in multidisciplinary teams that can include medical genetics physicians, nurse practitioners, genetic counselors, metabolic dietitians, and neuropsychologists to provide the best care for children with a genetic or metabolic disorder.
Our approach
Our medical genetics professionals are disease detectives, following the clues to diagnose and treat inherited metabolic disorders. Our genetics providers are also actively involved in clinical and academic research, public health, scientific collaborations, and education. Our program is the top program in Minnesota to diagnose and care for people with inherited metabolic conditions across their lifespan. Because each person has a distinct genetic “fingerprint,” your child’s treatment and care plan will be tailored to your child’s individual needs. We bring together relevant specialists to treat your child’s symptoms and give your child the brightest possible future.
Some genetic and metabolic conditions qualify as rare diseases, which means that they affect fewer than 200,000 Americans at any point in time. M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital is among the few hospitals nationwide to be designated a NORD Rare Disease Center of Excellence, in recognition of our longstanding track record of outstanding rare disease care for children.
M Health Fairview Pediatrics is also leading the way in gene therapy, a new frontier in medicine that uses modified or healthy genetic material to treat or prevent disease. While traditional drugs minimize symptoms rather than cure the disease, gene therapy has the potential to correct underlying genetic defects, which can lead to a cure rather than simply managing symptoms.
Our genetic counselors help you understand how a genetically based disorder can affect you and your family. Genetic counselors also help families make informed decisions about genetic testing and help interpret test results. Our counselors will help you and your family understand and adjust to a genetic diagnosis and learn more about genetic testing, including specialized pharmacogenomic testing options.
Supported by an award-winning children’s hospital, a robust clinical research enterprise, designation as a Rare Disease Center of Excellence, a top diagnostic laboratory, a specialty pharmacy that was the second in the nation to earn accreditation as a URAC-designated Rare Disease Pharmacy Center of Excellence, and a wide array of integrated support services, M Health Fairview Pediatrics’ genetics and metabolism team is Minnesota’s top choice.