An article on genetic counseling . Write the purpose indication of genetic counseling.
Genetic counseling is a kind of communication process in which the genetic contribution to health is explained, along with specific risks of transmission of a trait and options to manage the condition and its inheritance.
Genetic counseling as a communication which deals with human problems which is associated with the occurrence or the risk of occurrence of the genetic disease in a family.
Purpose of Genetic counseling:
- Genetic counseling provide accurate and concrete information about inherited disorders.
- Genetic counseling allow people who are affected by inherited disease to make informed choices about future conception.
- Genetic counseling educate people about inherited disorders and the process of inheritance.
- Genetic counseling offer support to the people who are affected by genetic counseling.
Indication of genetic counseling :
- Advanced prenatal age ( maternal age 35, paternal age 50)
- Previous child with or family history of congenital anomaly ,dysmorphology , mental retardation, isolated birth defect may be seen, metabolic disorders, chromosomes abnormalities may seen, single gene disorders etc.
- Adult onset genetic disease like cancer , huntington disease.
- Consanguinity may be seen.
- Teratogen exposure ( occupational abuse) may be caused
- Repeated pregnancy loss or infertility may be caused
- Pregnancy screening abnormalities ( maternal serum a – fetoprotein , maternal triple or quad screen ,fetal karyotype)
- Heterozygote screening based on ethnic risk ( sickle cell anemia , Taysachs, canavan, Gaucher disease, thalassemia)
In Genetic counseling, follow up to abnormal neonatal genetic testing.
The counselors expected to present the information in a neutral ,non directive manner and to provide support to the individual and family to cope with decision that are cope with decision that are made. In Genetic counseling 3 situations are very important they are :
- Genetic counseling is important for prenatal diagnosis of a congenital anomaly or genetic disease.
- When a child is born with a life threatening congenital anomaly or genetic disease.
- In Genetic counseling , a couple is planning a family and there is a family history of a genetic problem, including whether one member of a couple carries a translocation or is a carrier of an abnormal gene for an autosomal recessive or x – linked disorders,an adolescent or young adult has a family history of an adult onset genetic disorders ( Huntington disease, breast cancer) , unusual features are present and a diagnosis is wanting or not possible and there is suspected exposure to a toxic substance or teratogen .
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