Genetics

    THE GENETICS PROGRAM 

    The Kankakee County Health Department (KCHD), along with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) coordinate Genetic services for families in the community “who may have a family history of, or concern about a medical condition with a genetic basis.” (IDPH, 2023). 

     KCHD strives to identify high-risk clients, increase community awareness, provide educational resources, and link families to local and state agencies with support from the IDPH Genetics Grant Program. 

    RN Case Managers counsel all pregnant women and women of childbearing age on the importance of folic acid, linkage to primary care physicians (PCP) for ongoing preventative care and follow-up on all abnormal Newborn Screenings and Newborn Hearing Screens.

    WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM GENETIC SERVICES?

    Any woman of childbearing age or who is currently pregnant may gain helpful information for use in decision making from genetic services if any of the following apply: (IDPH, 2008)

    • is older than the age of 35 years 
    • father of the baby is 45 years or older
    • has abnormal prenatal test or screening results
    • has diabetes, seizures, or unmanaged medical conditions
    • is currently taking prescription medications
    • is exposed to cigarettes, alcohol or illicit drugs
    • is exposed to harmful substances in the workplace
    • is related by blood to her partner
    • history of two or more miscarriages, a stillbirth or a baby who died
    • ethnic predisposition to certain genetic disorders
    • previous pregnancy or child affected by birth defect(s), genetic condition, intellectual disabilities
    • family history of inherited genetic disorder 

    Please contact the Genetics program at the Kankakee County Health Department for any questions.
    Phone: (815) 802-9400
    Fax: (815) 802-9321

    Screenshot 2023 05 16 at 9.27.52 PM

    DOES IT RUN IN THE FAMILY?

    You and your family share genes. Genes are the instructions inside each of your cells that make you unique. Families also share habits, environment, and diet. 

    At your next family gathering why not talk to family members about your family’s health history to get a complete picture of diseases and lifestyle choices that may impact your overall health. Visit https://doesitruninthefamily.org/ for free booklets that can help you start the conversation and guide you on what information to collect.

    (English and Spanish versions available). 

    The Surgeon General’s web-based tool “My Family Health Portrait” can help keep track of the information.  https://cbiit.github.io/FHH/html/index.html

    Share what you learn with your healthcare provider, “who can help you take steps to prevent disease and catch it early if it develops” (CDC, 2023). 

    Visit the following websites for additional information. 

    CDC

    https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/famhistory/index.htm

    https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/famhistory/knowing_not_enough.htm

    March of Dimes

    https://marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/planning-baby/your-family-health-history  

    LINKS TO RESOURCES ON GENETICS 

    FAMILY & CHILD 

    Baby’s First Test

    https://www.babysfirsttest.org/newborn-screening/screening-community

    Early Hearing Detection & Intervention

    https://www.infanthearing.org/

    Illinois Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side

    https://www.ilhandsandvoices.org/

    Illinois Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Program

    https://www.illinoissoundbeginnings.com/

    PKU Organization of Illinois

    http://www.pkuil.org/

    Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois

    https://www.sicklecelldisease-illinois.org/

    UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children

    https://dscc.uic.edu/

    NATIONAL, FEDERAL, STATE & LOCAL 

    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

    https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/awareness-month/before-during-pregnancy.html

    https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/about.html

    https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/famhistory/

    Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)

    https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/life-stages-populations/genomics.html

    https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/life-stages-populations/newborn-screening.html

    March of Dimes

    https://www.marchofdimes.org/

    https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/pregnancy/folic-acid

    https://marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/planning-baby/your-family-health-history

    Midwest Genetics Network (MGN)

    https://midwestgenetics.org/

    NORD

    https://rarediseases.org/

    Pregnancy Resource Center/Kankakee, IL

    https://www.pregnancyresourcecenter.org/locations/kankakee/