What can be offered to couples at (possibly) increased genetic risk?

The Impact of Increased Homozygosity on Human Fertility: A Comprehensive Review

This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted relationship between increased homozygosity and human fertility, delving into the genetic, ethical, cultural, and public health dimensions of this complex phenomenon. Homozygosity, characterized by identical alleles at specific gene loci, can result from consanguineous marriages, genetic drift, and population isolation. The review highlights key findings, including the heightened risk of recessive genetic disorders, the implications for immune system diversity, and the influence on complex traits and diseases. It underscores the critical role of genetic counseling in addressing these consequences, considering the ethical implications, and respecting cultural practices. The delicate balance between genetic diversity and cultural norms is emphasized, calling for increased awareness and community engagement. Looking ahead, the review suggests emerging technologies, longitudinal studies, and interdisciplinary research as crucial avenues for further exploration, with the ultimate goal of informing effective public health policies and interventions that safeguard genetic diversity and cultural traditions for future generations.

Expanded Prenatal Genetic and Newborn Screening: One Family's Wild Ride

The exponential rate at which genetic testing has been integrated into routine and high-risk obstetric care has been exciting to watch. With this technical explosion, however, the knowledge surrounding the benefits and limitations of prenatal genetic and newborn screening can be overlooked by both parents and providers. The following case exemplifies how a couple with infertility who underwent comprehensive prenatal expanded genetic carrier screening and parental karyotype experienced the benefits and limitations of such testing. It guides the reader through diagnostic testing for an infant, born to a father with a balanced translocation, who presented with an abnormal newborn screening result for an inherited metabolic disorder of fatty acid oxidation metabolism, very-long-chain acyl-coenzyme dehydrogenase deficiency, for which the prenatal expanded carrier screening result was negative.

Genetic Literacy of pregnant women and their use of prenatal screening and diagnostic tests in Turkey

This study evaluated how genetic literacy of pregnant women in Turkey affects their use of prenatal screening and diagnostic tests. As a descriptive cross-sectional study, a Participant Identification Form and the Genetic literacy and Comprehension Measure (GLAC) were used to collect data. The sample of study consisted of 189 pregnant women who made regular antenatal care visits in Giresun, Turkey. The mean age was 29.5 ± 5.9 years and mean gestational week was 34.9 ± 5.09. Of the women, 76.7% had undergone prenatal screening tests, and 85.5% of them had learned about the tests from their doctors. The mean GLAC score of familiarity was 3.67 ± 1.78 (out of seven), and the genetic concepts answered correctly were 5.30 ± 1.79 (out of eight). No statistically significant relationship emerged between the women's genetic literacy and their use of prenatal screening or diagnostic tests. However, relationships were statistically significant between the genetic literacy of the women and the educational levels of the women themselves or their spouses, consanguineous marital status, parity, and use of folic acid supplements. Primiparous women who were highly educated, had a highly educated spouse, were not in consanguineous marriages, and had taken folic acid supplements during pregnancy were more literate in genetics. There is a need for more educational opportunities in order for women to increase their familiarity with genetic terms. Educating women will improve their understanding of genetics-related health services and increase their awareness of genetic diseases, which will allow them to take the appropriate actions for primary prevention.