About ITIS
What is ITIS?
The Illinois Teratogen Information Service (ITIS) is free statewide service that is financially supported by the Illinois Department of Public Health. ITIS provides information regarding all types of exposures during pregnancy, and is available to women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, fathers, physicians, and other health care providers in the State of Illinois.
ITIS is coordinated by a licensed Genetic Counselor/teratogen information specialist and is directed by a Board Certified Geneticist. Using a variety of resources, the staff collects, analyzes, and distributes information on known and/or potential teratogens. The information is based on current scientific data and the counseling is provided in a non-judgemental manner.
ITIS belongs to a group called The Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS). OTIS is an organization that serves to provide education, to conduct relevant research, and to support teratology information services throughout North America.
Our Goals:
- To provide counseling to patients and health care professionals about exposures related to pregnancy and breastfeeding, so they are able to make informed treatment choices.
- To reduce risks and decrease the number of preventable birth defects by educating the public and health care professionals about specific agents of concern.
- To empower patients with accurate information about the true risks of an exposure, thereby preventing unnecessary terminations of wanted pregnancies.
ITIS Staff
KRISTEN L. DIETER, M.S., C.G.C is a Genetic Counselor and the Coordinator of the Illinois Teratogen Information Service. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology with a concentration in genetics from the University of Kansas. Subsequently, she received a Master of Science degree in genetic counseling from Brandeis University. Kristen is a certified and licensed genetic counselor in the State of Illinois. Prior to her current position, she provided pregnancy risk assessments, care and support for families carrying high-risk pregnancies, as well as risk assessments, screening, and prevention counseling to those affected by cancer.
email: itis@fetal-exposure.org
EUGENE PERGAMENT, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.M.G. is a Board Certified Medical Geneticist and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Medical School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Yale University, a Doctor of Philosophy degree in genetics from Purdue University, and a Medical Degree from the University of Chicago. Dr. Pergament is certified in clinical genetics and cytogenetics by the American Board of Medical Genetics and is a founding member of the American College of Medical Genetics. He serves on numerous local, regional, and national committees and is a past member of the Executive Board of the Organization for Teratogen Information Services.
ITIS Address
Illinois Teratogen Information Service
680 North Lake Shore Drive
Suite 1230
Chicago, IL 60611
(800) 252-4847 or (312) 981-4354