What is Genetic Carrier Screening? Laguna Hills, Orange County CA
Genetic carrier screening is a type of genetic testing that determines if prospective parents are carriers of certain heritable genetic diseases. In simple words, it lets future parents determine if they have any disease they are likely to pass down to their offspring.
Currently, genetic carrier screening is of three different types, including:
- Ethnicity-based carrier screening
- Pan-ethnic carrier screening
- Expanded carrier screening.
Who Needs Genetic Carrier Screening?
Every couple expecting to have a baby needs genetic carrier screening. The test is important for couples to learn of the chances of their offspring inheriting certain genetic diseases. The screening is primarily for diseases with autosomal recessive inheritance. This implies that both parents must have mutations in the same gene to be at risk of passing the disease to their offspring.
The Major Benefits of Expanded Carrier Screening
Expanded carrier screening is the best type of genetic carrier screening. It is a form of DNA testing for variants of hundreds of genes. It offers couples deep knowledge of the risk of passing certain diseases and help them understand their options.
From the result of genetic carrier screening, couples can determine if having a baby the natural way is the right thing to do. Depending on the results of the screening, pre-implantation genetic testing can help couples have healthier babies. The result can also let you know if you will need a prenatal diagnosis. If the risk of passing a dangerous disease is high, a couple can decide to use an egg or sperm donor.
Get Genetic Carrier Screening
Are you planning to have a baby soon? Getting genetic carrier screening can be very beneficial for you and your unborn children. Contact us to book an appointment with Dr. Banafsheh Kashani for genetic carrier testing and other fertility testing and treatment.
