A simple blood test. That’s all it takes. With that, a man or
women of Jewish heritage can learn whether he or she is a
carrier of genetic diseases that occur with greater frequency
in the Jewish population. For those considering becoming
parents, the laboratory results can lead to informed choices
and healthier futures.
As part of a commitment to future generations, the Miami
Children’s Brain Institute in 2013 became the new home
of the Victor Center for the Prevention of Jewish Genetic
Diseases in South Florida. The program offers comprehensive
genetic education, counseling services and affordable
screenings for 19 Jewish genetic diseases. Funding support is
provided by Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation.
The Ashkenazi Jewish population – those whose ancestors
are from Central Eastern Europe, including Poland, Russia,
Germany and Lithuania – are at increased risk of passing
certain genetic diseases to future generations. It is estimated
that one in four Ashkenazi Jews is a carrier for at least one of
19 genetic diseases.
With a blood test, a person’s genes can be examined for
changes or mutations that determine whether he or she is a
carrier. Anyone with at least one Jewish grandparent should
be screened. The Victor Center provides full service genetic
counseling and screening to all interested individuals and
couples through the hospital’s main campus as well as
through community screenings.
The 19 genetic diseases encompassed in the screening
include: Bloom syndrome, Canavan disease, cystic fibrosis,
dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase deficiency (DLD), familial
dysautonomia, familial hyperinsulinism, Fanconi anemia type
C, Gaucher disease type 1, glycogen storage disease type 1a,
Joubert syndrome, maple syrup urine disease, mucolipidosis
IV, nemaline myopathy, Niemann-Pick disease type A, spinal
muscular atrophy, Tay-Sachs disease, Usher syndrome type
1F, Usher syndrome type III and Walker-Warburg syndrome.
For more information about the Victor Center at Miami
Children’s Hospital, please call 786-897-9587.
A Commitment To Preventing
Genetic Diseases
“The Miami Children’s
Brain Institute has long
been a leader in providing
care for children with
genetic disorders and
their families through our
Neurogenetic-Metabolic
Program. Providing a home
for the Victor Center is a
natural extension of our
role, helping families
of Jewish descent better
understand their genetic
risks through awareness
building, genetic testing
and counseling.”
Dr. Prasanna Jayakar, Director
Miami Children’s Brain Institute
Prevent
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