Anndrea Kelly
Erika Dye
What is Genetic Counseling?
• evaluating family history
and medical records
• ordering genetic tests
• evaluating the results of
this investigation
• helping parents
understand and reach
decisions about what to
do next
Genetic Testing• Genetic tests are tests on
blood and other tissue to
find genetic disorders.
Some of the more familiar
genetic disorders are:
• Down syndrome
• cystic fibrosis
• sickle cell disease
• Tay-Sachs disease (a fatal
disease affecting the
central nervous system)
• spina bifida
Tests Available
Amniocentesis is a test performed between weeks
16 and 18 week of a woman's pregnancy.
When there's risk of c-section or premature birth, amniocentesis may also
be done to see how far the child's lungs have matured. Amniocentesis
carries a slight risk of inducing a miscarriage.
Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) is usually
performed between the 10th and 12th weeks of
pregnancy.
When Do Doctors Recommend Genetic Testing?
A couple is planning to start a family and one of them
or a close relative has an inherited illness.
An individual already has one child with a severe birth
defect.
A woman has delivered a stillborn child with physical
signs of a genetic illness.
A woman is pregnant and over age 34.
A child has medical problems that might be genetic.
A child has medical problems that are recognized as a
specific genetic syndrome.
Who needs Genetic Counseling?
• Those who have, or are concerned that they might
have, an inherited disorder or birth defect.
• Women who are pregnant or planning to be after
age 34.
• Couples who already have a child with mental
retardation, an inherited disorder or a birth defect.
• Women who have had babies who died in infancy
or three or more miscarriages.
• People concerned that their jobs, lifestyles or
medical history may pose a risk to outcome of
pregnancy.
How Can I Prepare for A Genetic
Counseling Session?
• At minimum, information on family
medical history should include:
• Your relation to each family member,
including whether family members are
adopted or half-relatives
• Major health conditions that affect each
family member such as cancer, diabetes,
or heart disease
• The age of onset for each condition
• Age of death (where relevant)
• Cause of death
• Whether family members had a child
with a blood relative
• Try to confirm each health condition
that affects family members.
•
What not to Expect From A Genetic Counseling Session
• Genetic counseling
sessions do not include:
• Any testing or procedures that
you do not explicitly approve.
• Prescriptions.
• Specific medical
recommendations
• Long-term psychological care.
How To Find a Genetic Counselor
• A family can seek genetic
counseling directly or be
referred by a physician.
Comprehensive genetic
services centers are available
in the United States, usually
located within large medical
centers or teaching hospitals.
Smaller areas may be served
by satellite clinics.
Providers of Genetic Counseling
Individuals who have
followed a specific
educational curriculum
and who are certified
genetic counselors (CGCs)
Doctors or nurses with
special training in the
subject
Career Opportunities
• Clinical
• Commercial
• Diagnostic
Laboratories
• Education and Public
Policy
• Research – working as a
study coordinator for
research projects involved
in genetics
How can I become a genetic
counselor?
• Genetic counselors hold a
Master's degree from one of
over 30 accredited U.S. graduate
programs
• International training
programs are also available.
• Certification is obtained
through successful completion
of documented clinical
experience and the American
Board of Genetic Counseling's
examination.
Salary
$58,184
Bibliography
• http://kidshealth.org/paren
t/pregnancy_newborn/med
ical_problems/genetic_cou
nseling.html#a_What_Is_G
enetic_Counseling_
• http://www.marchofdimes.
com/pnhec/4439_15008.asp
• http://www.genetichealth.c
om/Resources_What_Is_Ge
netic_Counseling.shtml#A
nchor4