National Expert Named Chair of Ob-Gyn, Reproductive Sciences
Dr. Linda Giudice, a nationally renowned physician-scientist focused on women's health, has been named the chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the UCSF School of Medicine.

New Genetic Disease Sheds Light on Body's Water Balance
Two infant boys whose bodies were overloaded with excess fluid have led UCSF pediatricians to discover a new genetic disease. In the process, they discovered a rare mutation in which different substitutions in a single amino acid causes two different, opposite genetic disorders.

Twins and More

The new Twins and More Program provides comprehensive medical, educational and social support for women pregnant with multiples and their infants. Women pregnant with multiples may be seen by any of our obstetrical providers, and have access to a perinatology consultation, if needed. In addition to having the opportunity for more frequent ultrasounds and checkups, women in the program have access to additional genetic tests through the Prenatal Diagnosis Center. Each pregnancy is evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if Caesarean section will be necessary or if vaginal delivery is an option. Educational features include the "Expecting Twins or More" class offered through the Great Expectations prenatal education program, a special phone line with responses supplied by nurses experienced with multiple pregnancies and a new public workshop on multiple pregnancies. Twins and More also ensures that babies born with defects have immediate access to UCSF Children's Hospital's world-renowned neonatal services.

For more information, contact the Obstetrics and Perinatology Practice at (415) 353-2566.

Summer 2005 Table of Contents

Click here to subscribe to this newsletter.