Genetic Counseling

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Genetic counseling is a specialized service available to patients and families seen at Fairview clinics and hospitals. We provide genetic counseling for children and adults with specialists who focus on maternal-fetal medicine, hereditary cancers and a wide variety of genetic disorders.

Our experts are certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and help patients and their families with questions and concerns about genetic cancers and diseases.

Who can benefit from genetic counseling?
• Families with a strong history of cancer
• Individuals with early onset or rare cancers
• Women who are 35 or older and considering a pregnancy
• Women with an abnormal ultrasound or genetic blood screening in pregnancy
• Couples with multiple pregnancy losses or infant death
• Families with a known or suspected genetic condition such as, but not limited to, the following:
- Chromosomal abnormalities
- Marfan syndrome
- Fragile X syndrome
- Vascular anomalies/KT Syndrome
- 22q deletion/DiGeorge syndrome/VCFS
- Neurofibromatosis
- Cystic fibrosis
- Muscular dystrophies
- Fanconi Anemia
• Individuals with developmental delay or mental retardation
• Individuals with birth defects or dysmorphism/unusual appearance
• Patients with inherited metabolic disorders (e.g. PKU, MCAD, Galactosemia)
• Families with movement disorders or inherited neurological disease (e.g. Ataxia, Huntington’s)
• Families with a history of heart defects, cardiomyopathies, or arrhythmias
• Families with inherited bleeding or clotting disorders
• Individuals with hereditary hearing loss or inherited eye disorders
• Individuals with CAH or other disorders of sex development

What happens at a genetic counseling appointment?
A genetic counselor will:

Take a family history by asking about relatives
Review health and pregnancy history
Discuss the chance that a genetic condition will occur in the family
Discuss medical issues associated with the genetic diseases
Discuss possible genetic testing options
Provide education about current related research
Provide support group information and referrals
Provide support in making decisions and coping with genetic conditions
Assist with referrals to health care providers

A genetic counseling appointment takes about one hour. After your appointment, the genetic counselor will send you a summary of the discussion. Families may use this information to share with relatives and other health professionals.