During a pregnancy, screening and diagnostic testing for genetic fetal defects may be available.
Some fetal defects that can occur include:
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Down Syndrome
- Other genetic diseases
The decision to make use of these services in unique for each woman and her partner. Speak to your doctor about options available to you.
Other Genetic Diseases
Some genetic disorders are more common in certain ethnic groups. People who carry genes for these disorders may not have symptoms. However, if both parents are carriers of the same abnormal gene, the chance of having an affected child is 1 in 4, or 25 percent, for each pregnancy. A special blood test, called a carrier test, may be able to tell if you carry such a trait.
Depending on your family history, ethnicity and heritage, your developing baby may be at risk for one of the following genetic conditions:
- Canavan Disease — Canavan disease is a central nervous system disease that is usually fatal in childhood, with a few people surviving to adulthood. This disease is the result of a substance that destroys the central nervous system over time.This condition is most common in people of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, with a carrier incidence of 1 in 40.There is presently no effective treatment for Canavan disease.
- Fragile X Syndrome — Fragile X Syndrome is an inherited condition that can cause a range of intellectual and behavioral problems, from learning disabilities to mental retardation to autism.The Fragile X syndrome is not specific to a certain ethnic background. While it tends to be more severe in boys, it occurs in both males or females. It can be passed on to family members by individuals who have no signs of the syndrome. Review of your family history with a genetic counselor may help determine if Fragile X carrier testing is indicated.
- Sickle Cell Disease — Sickle cell disease is caused by a variant hemoglobin that changes the shape of the red blood cells. This causes anemia, severe pain, a tendency toward infection and other serious health problems.This condition is most common in persons of African-American, African, Mediterranean, Hispanic and South American ancestry, with the carrier risk ranging from 1/10 to 1/40, depending on your ethnic background.Frequent blood transfusions, infection-preventing antibiotics and bone marrow transplant are available treatments.
- Tay Sachs Disease — The disease results from a build up of certain substances in the brain, and is fatal in early childhood.People of both Ashkenazi Jewish and French Canadian ancestry have the greatest chance of being carriers of Tay Sachs disease, about 1/30 versus 1/250 in the general population.There is presently no effective treatment for Tay Sachs disease.
- Thalassemia — In general, this group of blood disorders affects a person’s ability to produce hemoglobins, the protein in our blood that carries oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body.Individuals of Mediterranean, Southeast Asian and African ancestry have the greatest chance — 1 in 3 and 1 in 30, respectively — of being carriers for thalassemia.In severe cases, children with thalassemia may not survive. Others have anemia, bone growth problems and liver and spleen involvement. Blood transfusions may be needed for treatment.