Asha Talati, MD, a fellow in UNC OB-GYN’s Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, is lead author of a new paper providing an evidence-based guide to the diagnosis and management of fetal congenital anomalies of the kidney and the urinary tract (CAKUT).
“Prenatal genetic considerations of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT),” was published online July 25, 2019, in Prenatal Diagnosis. Other UNC MFM authors on the paper are Carolyn Webster, MD, fellow, and Neeta Vora, MD, associate professor and Director of Reproductive Genetics.
Talati says the paper serves as a reference to clinicians developing maternal and fetal care plans in the setting of these complex anomalies – polycystic kidney disease, Meckel-Gruber syndrome, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, renal agenesis, and more – and highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary team of genetic counselors, maternal-fetal medicine experts and neonatologists.
“The goal of this review was to discuss considerations in prenatal diagnosis in the setting of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract, which include the role of ultrasound, pursuit of genetic diagnosis using karyotype and chromosomal microarray, and finally, considering whole exome sequencing if indicated,” says Talati. “The paper also discusses prenatal management and considerations such as use of multidisciplinary maternal and fetal care team and pregnancy options as indicated.”