Ronald L. Thomas, M.D., a perinatologist who has garnered national recognition for his expertise in prenatal diagnostic screening, has joined the staff of St. Clair Hospital. Dr. Thomas brings decades of experience to St. Clair, advancing the services of the hospital’s obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) physicians and the Hospital’s Family Birth Center.

Dr. Thomas works closely with the hospital’s team of obstetric sonographers in the Ultrasound OB/GYN Suite. His role is largely a diagnostic one, as he utilizes ultrasound technology and non-invasive prenatal testing, known as NIPT, to assess fetal health and development and identify risk factors and problems that may lead to complications. Women who are experiencing high-risk pregnancies, as well as those who have a history of pregnancy loss or complications, and those who are at risk for pregnancy complications because of maternal medical conditions such as diabetes will benefit from consultation with Dr. Thomas. St. Clair’s OB/GYN Ultrasound Suite is equipped with one of the region’s most advanced ultrasound systems. Advances in ultrasound imaging and NIPT, Dr. Thomas explains, have made invasive prenatal testing quite rare. “Amniocentesis and chorionic villi sampling have nearly disappeared thanks to new technologies,” he says. “NIPT has given us the capacity to simply take a small blood sample from a pregnant woman and analyze it genetically. The maternal blood contains fetal DNA so we can screen for common fetal chromosomal anomalies. Fortunately, most of the time, we are able to give good news and provide reassurance to prospective parents.”

To contact Dr. Thomas, call 412-942-2628.