Advances and Answers in Pediatric Health
PERSONALIZING CARE
Gleeson ’ s early genetic diagnosis allowed a multidisciplinary team to leverage precision medicine in her care plan , meaning her treatment was personalized to her specific genes . A team of experts from the Colorado Fetal Care Center , nephrology , neonatology and genetics had time to monitor her and the baby and prepare for the birth .
“ When a baby is born with this genetic difference , you need nephrologists and neonatologists and caregivers that can manage a baby who has a different fluid balance , and anything else unexpected ,” Dr . Behrendt explains .
Due to the cardiomyopathy gene detected in Gleeson ’ s tests , her care team determined it would be best for her to deliver at UCHealth hospital , where experts could safely monitor her heart while also watching her baby , whom she decided to name Henry . Next door at Children ’ s Colorado , additional experts — such as nephrologist Margaret Bock , MD — were available to care for Henry after birth .
Fortunately , both Gleeson and Henry remained healthy throughout the birth , and Henry ’ s kidney condition resolved on its own once he was born .
“ Not too long ago , we wouldn ’ t have had the ability to make this diagnosis for Katie ’ s baby ,” Dr . Behrendt says . “ We had an incredibly different outcome in this pregnancy than her prior one .”
Detecting this condition early also made Gleeson one of just a handful of people worldwide to carry a child with Bartter syndrome to full term .
“ Genetic testing helps us anticipate care , anticipate procedures and anticipate expected outcomes . Knowledge is power in these situations ,” Dr . Behrendt says . “ Our ability to diagnose a wide breadth of differences , mutations and diseases makes us smarter , better caregivers in the world of fetal medicine .” •
NICHOLAS BEHRENDT , MD
Maternal fetal medicine specialist , Children ’ s Hospital Colorado
Associate professor , Ob / Gyn-Maternal Fetal Medicine , University of Colorado School of Medicine
MANESHA PUTRA , MD
Maternal fetal medicine specialist , Children ’ s Hospital Colorado
Assistant professor , Ob / Gyn-Maternal Fetal Medicine , University of Colorado School of Medicine
9