Genetics Clinic

Our Genetics Clinic is run by Dr. Ayman El-Hattab, Consultant Clinical Genetics with experience of more than 12 years in the field of genetics. Dr. Ayman El-Hattab has the American Board of Clinical Genetics, the American Board of Biochemical Genetics (Metabolic), and the American Board of Pediatrics. He is also a Professor at the College of Medicine in the University of Sharjah.

In our Genetics Clinic we provide health care for adults and children with genetic diseases or suspected to have genetic diseases. We provide clinical evaluation, perform genetic and metabolic tests, advise on management, and deliver genetic counseling for patients and families. Our services include:

Prenatal Genetics

In our Genetics Clinic we provide evaluation for wide variety of conditions related to pregnancy and infertility such as: 

• Pregnancies with fetal anomalies or growth impairment
• Pregnancies with abnormal prenatal genetic or chromosomal tests
• Previous pregnancies with miscarriages or fetal malformations or death
• Family history of Down syndrome and other chromosomal and genetic syndromes
• Family history of congenital malformation, developmental delay, intellectual disability, growth failure, or other conditions that are suspected to be inherited genetic defect
• Maternal diabetes or teratogen exposure
• Infertility and premature ovarian failure

We also provide genetic counseling for:

• Individuals who are carriers for genetic or chromosomal disorders
• Individuals seeking prenatal genetic testing
• Individuals considering pre-implantation genetic testing
• Individuals seeking genetic screening tests
• Individuals interested in assessing their family history for possible risks of genetic diseases

Pediatric Genetics:

Large number of pediatric conditions can benefit from evaluation in our Genetics Clinics. Some of these conditions are:

1. Developmental delay, intellectual disability, autism, and behavioral disorders
2. Down syndrome and other chromosomal disorders and genetic syndromes
3. Dysmorphic features and congenital malformation
4. Skeletal malformation and growth failure
5. Inborn error of metabolism (metabolic disorders) and mitochondrial disorders
6. Variable genetic/inherited neurologic, endocrine, cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal, hematologic, skeletal and dermatological diseases

Cancer Genetics

We evaluate affected individuals with cancers who are suspected to have familial/genetic predisposition for cancer including individuals with early onset tumors, multiple tumors, or family history of tumors. We also see healthy people who do not have cancer, but have family history of tumors. During the genetic evaluation, detailed personal and family histories are obtained, cancer gene panels are performed when indicated, genetic test results are interpreted, and genetic counseling is provided.

Cardiovascular Genetics

A large number of cardiovascular diseases encountered in adults and pediatrics can be caused by genetic defect and many of these can be inherited. Examples include variable congenital heart diseases, different cardiomyopathies, rhythm abnormalities such as prolonged QT syndromes and Brugada syndrome, and  familial hyperlipidemias. In our genetics clinics we evaluate patients, request the needed genetic tests, and provide genetic counseling.   

Neurogenetics

Many neurological diseases seen in pediatrics and adults can be caused genetic defects. Examples include variable types of epilepsies, hereditary neuropathies, muscular dystrophies, and early-onset strokes. Variable genetic and metabolic tests are available to help in reaching the genetic diagnosis which can provide more information about the disease and its complications and inheritance, and guide in establishing the management plan. 

Preventative genetics

We also provide genetic counseling for patients and families and advise about prevention including:

• Genetic counseling about genetic and metabolic diseases
• Genetic testing and counseling for carriers of genetic diseases
• Cancer genetic screening
• Premarital genetic evaluation, screening, testing, and counseling
• Preconception genetic counseling and genetic screening
• Genetic evaluation and counseling for pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and screening (PGD/PGS)
• Prenatal genetic evaluation, counseling, and testing (e.g. NIPT)

Other Genetic Services

Other services include:

1. Ophthalmology: some eye diseases are caused by genetic defects such as retinitis pigmentosa, congenital cataract, and high myopia
2. Hearing impairment: several genetic defects cause hereditary hearing loss
3. Dermatology: many skin conditions are due to genetic defects such as epidermolysis bullosa, café au lait spots in neurofibromatosis, congenital ichthyosis, and many others
4. Orthopedics: several bone conditions can be due to genetic defects such as congenital bone deformities, osteopenia with recurrent bone fractures, and limb defects.
5. Endocrine disorders such as monogeneic diabetes
6. Respiratory disorders such as cystic fibrosis