Prenatal Genetics Services

Genetic Counseling

Couples faced with the unfortunate situation of a genetic disorder in their child would have many queries especially regarding the outcome of subsequent pregnancies. Genetic disorders have different patterns of inheritance and thus the chance of recurrence in subsequent pregnancy differs significantly between different disorders. 

At The Fetal Clinic, couples are provided with detailed and accurate information regarding the recurrence risk after fully reviewing the investigations, three generation pedigree, and the clinical features of the affected child. 

Genetic Work up

The Fetal Clinic offers comprehensive work up to precisely identify the molecular abnormality that caused the genetic disorder in the child. The work up consists of systematic and stepwise evaluation of the affected child and then the parents to confirm the mutation. Once all information is available, the parents can then plan the next pregnancy with the full information regarding recurrence risk and options for prenatal diagnosis

Prenatal Diagnosis

Almost all genetic disorders that have been confirmed by molecular testing in the index child can be detected or excluded in the developing fetus through prenatal diagnosis. 

Prenatal diagnosis of Genetic Disorders require a ‘reference mutation’. This refers to the exact gene defect that has caused the genetic disorder in the family (previous child, or affected/carrier parents). The reference mutation is found out after a detailed genetic work up done in consultation with a geneticist. 

Once the reference mutation is available, prenatal diagnosis is possible in all subsequent pregnancies at 12 weeks through CVS. Rarely, amniocentesis would be preferable than CVS. 

Comprehensive pretest and posttest counseling is provided to the family to understand the pros and cons of prenatal diagnosis. 

Fetal Defects Counseling

Parents who are faced with the unfortunate circumstance of their fetus being diagnosed with a defect or suspected defect undergo enormous emotional turmoil. They, along with the family members, have innumerable questions. Accurate and sensitive counseling regarding the nature of the defect, cause of the defect, natural history, how to handle at birth, treatment options during and after birth are provided at The Fetal Clinic. 

Since there is always a potential for classification error, all fetuses diagnosed or suspected to have defect mandatorily undergo a detailed scan at The Fetal Clinic before the counseling. This allows for a highly accurate assessment of the fetus and this information is used for precise counseling.