Genetic counseling and screening of consanguineous couples and their offspring: Recommendations of the national society of genetic counselors

Document Type

Journal Article

Publisher

Kluwer Academic Publishers

Faculty

Faculty of Computing, Health and Science

School

School of Biomedical and Sports Science

RAS ID

252

Comments

Bennett, R. L., Motulsky, A. G., Bittles, A., Hudgins, L., Uhrich, S., Doyle, D. L., ... & Steiner, R. D. (2002). Genetic counseling and screening of consanguineous couples and their offspring: recommendations of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. Journal of genetic counseling, 11(2), 97-119. Available here.

Abstract

The objective of this document is to provide recommendations for genetic counseling and screening for consanguineous couples (related as second cousins or closer) and their offspring with the goals of

1. providing preconception reproductive options

2. improving pregnancy outcome and identifying reproductive choices

3. reducing morbidity and mortality in the 1st years of life, and

4. respecting psychosocial and multicultural issues.

The recommendations are the opinions of a multicenter working group (the Consanguinity Working Group (CWG)) with expertise in genetic counseling, medical genetics, biochemical genetics, genetic epidemiology, pediatrics, perinatology, and public health genetics, which was convened by the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC). The consensus of the CWG and NSGC reviewers is that beyond a thorough medical family history with follow-up of significant findings, no additional preconception screening is recommended for consanguineous couples. Consanguineous couples should be offered similar genetic screening as suggested for any couple of their ethnic group. During pregnancy, consanguineous couples should be offered maternal–fetal serum marker screening and high-resolution fetal ultrasonography. Newborns should be screened for impaired hearing and detection of treatable inborn errors of metabolism. These recommendations should not be construed as dictating an exclusive course of management, nor does use of such recommendations guarantee a particular outcome. The professional judgment of a health care provider, familiar with the facts and circumstances of a specific case, will always supersede these recommendations.

DOI

10.1023/A:1014593404915

Link to Full Text

Share

 
COinS
 

Link to publisher version (DOI)

10.1023/A:1014593404915