X. DEEPTHAM- Psychological Medicine Clinic 

Children and adolescents who attend different clinics of CDC sometimes require consultation and follow-up by a consultant in Psychological Medicine. 

Main activities of the Deeptham clinic 

• Pharmacotherapy 
• Behavioural modification program 
• Cognitive behavioural therapy 
• Supportive counselling services for parents 

Genetic & Metabolic Lab 

Services Offered 

The Genetic and Metabolic unit offers advanced laboratory diagnostic facilities to identify and screen the developmental issues in children. The various diagnostic services include biochemical analysis, cytogenetic analysis and molecular biology techniques. The detailed infrastructure and procedures available at the unit are summarised below.  

Bio-chemistry Section  

The Biochemistry section of the laboratory is equipped with diagnostic devices like an Automated Chemiluminescence Immunoassay Analyser for doing thyroid function tests in children and adolescents. 

Human Cytogenetics 

The Human Cytogentic Laboratory is involved in genetic diagnostic services to the patients  attending Medical College and SAT Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. Cytogenetic study is  carried out in children with suspected chromosomal disorders (Intellectual Disability/  Dysmorphism/ Multiple malformation/ Down syndrome/ Short stature/ Ambiguous  genetalia) and in couples with recurrent pregnancy loss, infertility etc. The lab follows  stringent sterile conditions for sample collection and culture procedures. The  documentation and reporting of chromosomal analysis follows the International standard  for Chromosomal Nomenclature (ISCN- 2013). The laboratory is equipped with  computerised karyotyping system (Applied Spectral Imaging Software) allowing a  substantial shortening of turnaround time of the results. The results will be verified by a  qualified Medical Geneticist and genetic counselling will be provided to the needy patients.  

Standardizing and diagnosis based on FISH (Fluorescent Insitu Hybridization), the first of its  kind in Government sector in Kerala was started. The introduction of this new testing facility  will help in diagnosing new diseases and to rule out Aneuploidy conditions and  Microdeletion syndromes prevailing among children and adolescents. 

Molecular Genetics 

This section of the laboratory is involved in research activities which include an on-going  multicentric collaborative study on lysosomal storage disorder. The lab is also dealing with  mutation analysis of rare diseases. Blood samples are collected from SAT as well as from  other collaborative centres. DNA isolation followed by PCR, visualization by Gel  Documentation system and finally sequencing are being done.