$Unique_ID{BRK00821}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{What's Genetic Counseling?}
$Subject{genetic counseling Pregnancy Childbirth child birth defect maternal
age BLOOD tests test PARENTS FAMILY cystic fibrosis Duchenne's muscular
dystrophy hemophilia Tay-Sachs AMNIOCENTESIS VILLUS chromosome abnormalities
ULTRASOUND physical kidney defects spina bifida FETOSCOPY baby's sickle cell
anemia cells thalassemia inherited hereditary genetic diseases ethnic
affiliation}
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Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What's Genetic Counseling?


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QUESTION:  My obstetrician says we'll need genetic counseling before we start
our family.  What's genetic counseling?

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ANSWER:  A genetic counseling session is a discussion with an expert about
your risks of having a child with a birth defect.  The most common factors
that trigger such concern are a maternal age over 35; ethnic affiliation (more
on that below); and a family history of birth defects.
     The counseling session is usually supplemented by tests.  The most common
are:

     - BLOOD TESTS OF PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS.  These can reveal such
     conditions as cystic fibrosis, Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, hemophilia
     and Tay-Sachs disease (common in Jews).
     - AMNIOCENTESIS AND CHORIONIC VILLUS SAMPLING.  These tests sample the
     baby's cells indirectly and can detect chromosome abnormalities, more
     common when the mother is over 35.
     - ULTRASOUND.  This picks up physical malformations such as kidney
     defects and spina bifida.
     - FETOSCOPY.  The biopsy of the baby's cells can detect sickle cell
     anemia (common in blacks) and thalassemia (common in Orientals and in
     people of Mediterranean descent).

     When the session is over you should have some idea of the chances your
baby may have of being affected by inherited diseases.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.