Preconception Genetic Evaluation

Maximizing Reproductive Choices

Preconception care (PCC) consists of the identification of conditions that could adversely affect a future pregnancy or fetus and which may be amenable to intervention.¹  Such conditions may be due to environmental or inherited risks, or a combination of both. Ethnicity and personal or family history of known genetic disease, birth defects and/or unexplained mental retardation, and multiple prior pregnancy losses are established inherited risk factors.

Benefits of preconception genetic care include more informed reproductive planning and adequate time to receive relevant genetic test results and prepare for future prenatal testing if indicated and desired.²

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued recommendations for improving PCC.³  However, recent data indicates that ethnicity-based genetic carrier screening is routinely offered to women of childbearing age by only 54% of ACOG members.⁴ Barriers cited include insufficient time and genetics knowledge to collect a full family history.

At Helix Health we take a comprehensive family history to identify inherited risks to future pregnancies.  Our physicians and genetic counselors are experts in appropriately counseling patients about these risks and their options.

Click here for "Lucy and Tom's story" about genetic counseling and carrier testing for an inherited condition prevalent in their population.

Continue reading about other indications for Helix Health consultation:

1. Am Acad Pediatrics, the Am Col Obstet Gynecol. Guidelines for Perinatal Care. 5th Ed. 2002.
2.  Shapira SK, Dolan S. Genetic Risks to the Mother and the Infant: Assessment, Counseling, and Management. Matern Child Health J 2006; Sep 10(5) Suppl:S143-6.
3. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/preconception/QandA_providers.htm#1 accessed 8/28/07
4. Morgan MA, et al.  What Obstetrician-Gynecologists Think of Preconception Care. Matern Child Health J (2006) 10:S59–65S