Genetic Counseling

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Basics

• Summary
• Start Here

Learn More

• Related Issues
• Specifics

See, Play and Learn

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Research

• Clinical Trials
• Journal Articles

Resources

• Reference Desk
• Find an Expert

For You

• Children
• Patient Handouts

Summary

Genetic counseling provides information and support to people who have, or may be at risk for, genetic disorders. A genetic counselor meets with you to discuss genetic risks. The counseling may be for yourself or a family member. Or you may get it when you are planning or expecting a baby. You may follow up with genetic testing.

There are many reasons to seek genetic counseling. You may consider it if you :

• Have a personal or family history of a genetic condition or birth defect
• 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

Start Here

• Frequently Asked Questions about Genetic Counseling (National Human Genome Research Institute)
• Genetic Counseling (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Genetic Counseling (March of Dimes Foundation) Also in Spanish
• Genetic Counseling (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
• Making Sense of Your Genes: A Guide to Genetic Counseling (Genetic Alliance)

Related Issues

• About Genetic Counselors (National Society of Genetic Counselors)
• Genetics: MedlinePlus Genetics (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish

Specifics

• Genetic Counseling for Congenital Heart Defects (American Heart Association)
• Genetic Counseling for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Understanding Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Genetic Counseling (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening from a Genetic Counseling Prospective: Pre and Post-Genetic...
• Article: BRCA-DIRECT digital pathway for diagnostic germline genetic testing within a UK...
• Article: Pregnancy Planning and Genetic Testing: Exploring Advantages, and Challenges.
• Genetic Counseling -- see more articles

Reference Desk

• Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms (National Human Genome Research Institute) Also in Spanish

Find an Expert

• Find a Genetic Counselor (National Society of Genetic Counselors)
• March of Dimes Foundation Also in Spanish
• National Human Genome Research Institute

Children

• What Is a Pediatric Geneticist? (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish

Patient Handouts

• Prenatal genetic counseling (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish