Both Drs. Thiagarajah and Helmbrecht are widely published in their field and are considered experts in the care and management of high risk pregnancies. Under their expert guidance, The Prenatal Diagnosis Center offers the earliest screening available for Down Syndrome and other abnormalities in an unborn baby. They perform first trimester screenings between 11 and 14 weeks of gestation. The screening will detect up to 95 percent of Down syndrome and other chromosome abnormalities. Drs. Thiagarajah and Helmbrecht also perform second trimester ultrasounds, preferably at about 22 weeks’ gestation, to evaluate for fetal structural abnormalities. Abnormalities of the fetal heart are among the most commonly encountered in prenatal diagnosis. Those who are at increased risk for a heart abnormality, such as diabetic mothers, those with a previous child with a heart defect, those with a family history of congenital heart disease or if they themselves have a heart defect and exposure to certain medications, can have a detailed evaluation of their baby’s heart (echocardiogram) at 22 weeks gestation. Some fetal abnormalities such as cleft lip are best illustrated using the new 3-D ultrasound technology available at their office.

Couples referred to the Prenatal Diagnosis Center may receive genetic counseling. Genetic counselors are trained in clinical genetics and counseling and they have a Masters Degree in Genetic Counseling and extensive experience in providing information regarding various genetic disorders.  They are also trained in assisting with the care of individuals carrying a pregnancy affected by a birth defect as well as those at risk of a having a pregnancy with a birth defect or genetic disorder.

Prior to their scheduled ultrasound procedure, they meet with couples who are at increased risk for fetal chromosomal and structural abnormalities to further explain and clarify those risks. They take a detailed family and medical history and discuss the ultrasound examination and other possible tests. They will also discuss abnormal results and options available to the families.

For more information about the Center, talk with your healthcare provider or call us at:
434-220-8620  Fax: 434-220-8625

Siva Thiagarajah, M.D.

Siva Thiagarajah, M.D., is the medical director of the Prenatal Diagnosis Center which is affiliated with Martha Jefferson Hospital.

His medical education includes an Endocrinology and Infertility fellowship at the University of Virginia, completed in 1970, and a residency in Obstetrics/Gynecology, completed in 1974. In 1981, he completed a fellowship in Maternal and Fetal Medicine at U.Va. He is board certified in Obstetrics/Gynecology and also in Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

Gary D. Helmbrecht, M.D. is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Maternal-Fetal Medicine. His medical education includes a Doctor of Medicine from the Medical College of Wisconsin, Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at The National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, and Fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, DC completed in 1994.

Fotini Vavelides, Genetic Counselor


Fotini Vavelidis has a master's degrees in human genetics and genetic counseling from Sarah Lawrence College in New York. She is certified by the American Board of Medical Genetics. She served as a genetics associate at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. She then was a member in the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division at UVA Medical Center before joining our practice.
 

For more information about the Center, talk with your healthcare provider or call us at:
434-220-8620  Fax: 434-220-8625.