If you are expecting a baby or planning to have a baby, your doctor can run many tests to help assess the health of both you and your baby. Your doctor may also refer you for genetic counseling. Genetic counseling provides information and support to people who have, or may be at risk for, genetic disorders. A genetics professional meets with you to discuss genetic risks. You may follow up with genetic testing.
There are many reasons to seek genetic counseling. You may consider it if you
- Have or are concerned you have an inherited disorder
- Are pregnant or planning to be pregnant after age 35
- Already have a child with a genetic disorder or birth defect
- Have had two or more pregnancy losses or a baby who died
- Have had ultrasound or screening tests that suggest a possible problem
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Frequently Asked Questions about Genetic Counseling
(National Human Genome Research Institute) - http://www.genome.gov/19016939
- Genetic Counseling(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/medical/genetic_counseling.html
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Genetic Counseling(March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation) - http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/4439_15008.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.nacersano.org/centro/9259_9705.asp
- Men with BRCA Gene Mutations Unaware of Cancer Risks(02/27/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_81146.html
- Career in Genetic Counseling(National Society of Genetic Counselors) - http://www.nsgc.org/career/
- Definition of Services (Genetic Counseling)(National Society of Genetic Counselors) - http://www.nsgc.org/rl_terms.cfm
- FAQs about Genetic Counselors and the NSGC(National Society of Genetic Counselors) - http://www.nsgc.org/consumer/faq_consumers.cfm
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Genetics Home Reference(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/
- What to Expect When Meeting with a Genetic Counselor(American Society of Clinical Oncology) - http://www.cancer.net/patient/Learning+About+Cancer/Genetics/What+to+Expect+When+Meeting+With+a+Genetic+Counselor
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Genetic Counseling(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/intervention=%22Genetic+Counseling%22
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Genetics Home Reference: Genetic Consultation(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/consult
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Differentiation of hereditary spastic paraparesis from primary lateral sclerosis in... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19364936&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Prenatal molecular diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19254590&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Providing patients with information on pharmacogenetic testing. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19248450&tool=MedlinePlus
- Genetic Counseling -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=genetic+counseling[mh]+AND+(review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+news[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt]))&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
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Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms(National Human Genome Research Institute) - http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm
Also available in Spanish http://www.genome.gov/sglossary.cfm
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Cancer Genetics Services Directory(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/search/genetics_services/
- National Society of Genetic Counselors, Inc. Search(National Society of Genetic Counselors) - http://www.nsgc.org/resourcelink.cfm
- US Clinic Directory Search(University of Washington) - http://www.genetests.org/servlet/access?id=8888891&key=yLoqrsrCVms-M&fcn=y&fw=ZDht&filename=/clinicsearch/searchclinic.html
- Genetic Alliance - http://www.geneticalliance.org/
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March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation - http://www.marchofdimes.com/
Also available in Spanish http://www.nacersano.org/
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National Human Genome Research Institute - http://www.genome.gov/
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Issues in Genetics and Health(National Human Genome Research Institute) - http://www.genome.gov/10001740
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Policy and Legislation Database(National Human Genome Research Institute) - http://www.genome.gov/PolicyEthics/LegDatabase/pubsearch.cfm
- What Is a Pediatric Geneticist?(American Academy of Pediatrics) - Links to PDF - http://www.aap.org/family/WhatisPedGeneticist.pdf
- Birth Defects - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/birthdefects.html
- Family History - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/familyhistory.html
- Genetic Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/geneticdisorders.html
- Genetic Testing - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/genetictesting.html
- Prenatal Testing - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/prenataltesting.html
- Genetics/Birth Defects - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/geneticsbirthdefects.html
- Pregnancy and Reproduction - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/pregnancyandreproduction.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Genetic Counseling is the National Human Genome Research Institute - http://www.genome.gov/