Who Needs Genetic Counseling?
• Pregnant women who will be 35 years old or older at delivery time. • Individuals diagnosed with or suspected of having a birth defect or mental retardation. • Parents of a child with a genetic disorder, birth defect or mental retardation. • Individuals who have had a laboratory test family history of a genetic disorder. • Individuals of ethnic groups in which particular inherited diseases are more common, including African-American, French-Canadian, Jewish, Mediterranean or Asian backgrounds. • Individuals or couples who have had multiple miscarriages or pregnancy losses. • Women exposed to certain medications or drugs, significant radiation, and/or particular infections during pregnancy. • Individuals who are known to be at risk for carrying genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, hemophilia, sickle cell disease or thalassemia. • Women exposed to certain medications or drugs, significant radiation, and/or particular infections during pregnancy.
