Genetic counseling can help people with questions about genetic concerns affecting their families.
A genetic counselor can give information about the following:
- Birth defects, such as cleft lip or congenital heart disease.
- Intellectual disability.
- Genetic diseases affecting children and adults, such as cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, neurofibromatosis and Huntington's disease.
- More than one birth defect in a person, whether or not there is known cause.
- Marriage between close blood relatives.
- Higher chances in some people for certain diseases, such as Tay Sachs disease in people of Jewish descent or sickle cell disease in African Americans.
- Infertility, stillbirths, infant deaths or more than one miscarriage.
- Diseases that run in families, such as cancer, manic depression, kidney disease and certain heart conditions.
A genetic counselor can also give information about the following concerns in planned or current pregnancies:
- Women who are in their mid 30's and older.
- Prenatal tests such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS).
- Effects of radiation, infections medications, drugs or alcohol.
- Health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure or seizures.
To schedule an appointment simply call (520) 694-6010 and our courteous scheduling coordinators will assist you. For information on the Profession of Genetic Counseling, please contact Dee Quinn, MS, CGC at dquinn@arizona.edu or call (520) 626-4382.
Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Arizona Pregnancy Riskline