Albert Einstein Medical Center offers a full range of genetic services. Einstein is the only hospital in the Philadelphia
area that offers prenatal, pediatric, adult and cancer genetics services in one location. In addition, Albert Einstein Medical
Center was the first hospital in the area to initiate and create a Jewish Genetic Disease Screening Program. Housed in the
Victor Center for Jewish Genetic Diseases, the program offers ongoing community outreach and education.
Pediatric and Adult Genetic Evaluations
Infants, children and adults suspected of having a learning or physical disability with a genetic cause, such as mental retardation,
developmental delay, birth defects, chromosomal abnormalities (e.g., Down syndrome, Fragile X), are evaluated by our genetics
team. When the evaluation is completed, appropriate services are identified, an accurate prognosis is provided, and risk of
recurrence in future offspring, if any, is determined.
Prenatal Genetic Counseling Services
Women and/or couples who are pregnant or considering a pregnancy can undergo genetic counseling to determine potential risks
to their pregnancy. The family and pregnancy histories are evaluated, prenatal tests are interpreted and/or offered, and education
and support is provided.
The Victor Center for Jewish Genetic Diseases
The mission of Albert Einstein Healthcare Network's Victor Center for Jewish Genetic Diseases is to raise awareness of Jewish
genetic diseases and to provide affordable genetic counseling and screening for healthy individuals at risk of being carriers
of a gene mutation for at least one of these diseases. This is accomplished through Jewish community education programs and
college campus outreach. The goal of this program is prevention of these devastating genetic diseases, thus making the birth
of a child a time of celebration and great joy.
Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk Assessment Program
This program provides individuals concerned about hereditary breast and ovarian cancer with a formal personal and family history
risk evaluation. The program also includes cancer genetics education, discussion about genetic testing, and recommendations
regarding risk appropriate screening/prevention options.
Anophthalmia/Microphthalmia Registry & DNA Research Study
Patients and families with either of these unique eye disorders provide information and genetic samples to aid researchers
in their attempt to identify eye-development genes, the incidence and causes of these eye disorders, and the genetic conditions
that may be associated with them. In return, this service links families and patients via an international support group,
ican (international children’s anophthalmia network). The latest research findings on anophthalmia and microphthalmia can be found
on www.anophthalmia.org
