Medical Genetics
Services
Tygerberg Hospital Clinics
Fetal Anomaly Clinic
Weekly clinic held on Mondays in collaboration with Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. For women/couples where a fetal abnormality is noted on ultrasound. Women are counselled regarding the implications of the findings and possible prenatal diagnosis.
Prenatal Clinic
Weekly clinic held on Tuesdays in collaboration with Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. For pregnant women who are at increased risk for carrying a baby with Down syndrome, due to advanced maternal age or the detection of ‘soft markers’ on ultrasound.
Paediatric Genetic Clinic
Weekly clinic held on Wednesdays. Children referred for genetic investigation are assessed by clinical geneticists and genetic counselling is also provided for families with a confirmed diagnosis.
Neurogenetics Clinic
Clinic held on a Thursday, once a term. Individuals with confirmed or suspected hereditary neurological conditions are assessed and counselled at this clinic. These conditions may be childhood or adult-onset and may include muscular dystrophies, myopathies and movement disorders.
Haemophilia Clinic
Interdisciplinary clinic with Haematology on a Tuesday once a month
Breast Cancer Genetic Clinic
Clinic held on a Thursday, once month. Individuals diagnosed with breast cancer and who have characteristics indicative of a familial cancer syndrome are counselled regarding their risk of having a genetic fault, potential implications for family members, as well as the available genetic testing options.
Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic
Children born with a cleft lip and/or palate are assessed by clinical geneticists for the presence of other features which could be suggestive of a genetic syndrome. Further testing and counselling is offered, where relevant.
Genetic counselling services are also offered to patients with genetic conditions who are referred from other specialist clinics at Tygerberg Hospital. These conditions may include:
- Inherited haematological disorders such as haemophilia and Sickle cell anaemia
- Familial Cancer syndromes such as colon cancer with specific features on personal or family history; Von Hippel-Lindau disease and Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN).
- Individuals with a strong family history of known inherited cancers (breast-, ovarian-, colon- and prostate cancer), diagnosed before 50 years of age. Risk calculation and genetic testing options are discussed
Outreach Clinics
Genetic Clinics are held at Paarl Hospital and Worcester Hospital, as well as at various schools for children with learning, hearing and visual disabilities.
Private Practice
Private consultations with a medical geneticist or genetic counsellor are offered at Stellenbosch Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences (Tygerberg Campus).
To make an appointment with Professor Greetje de Jong (medical geneticist), please contact Renelda at 021 938 5572.
To make an appointment with Mardelle Schoeman (Genetic Counsellor), please contact her personally at 021 938 9787 or via email:
mardelle@sun.ac.za.