Why should genetic screening before pregnancy?

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Pre-pregnancy genetic screening allows couples to know information about their own genetic defects as well as the lives of their children. In addition, this test also plays a special role in the preparation for pregnancy because it contributes to building the best pregnancy for both mother and baby.

1. Why should screening before pregnancy?

Many genetic disorders occur when someone carries both bad copies of the gene, one from the father and one from the mother. If you carry only one faulty gene, you have no symptoms of the disease, but you are a carrier. Your baby will be born with a disorder if you combine it with a partner who also carries the bad gene.
DNA tests will help find genes involved in certain diseases. Now standard screening tests help detect genes associated with:
Cystic fibrosis Blood disorders such as sickle cell disease.. Vitreous bone syndrome Tay-Sachs disease Spinal muscular atrophy Newer DNA tests, called extensive genetic screening can find defective genes in more than 400 other disorders, some of which are rare and difficult to treat.
Most Vietnamese have not paid due attention to prenatal genetic screening, so it is possible to combine with a partner who carries the same disease gene, causing the child to have symptoms of the disease without knowing it.
If you or your partner or family both have a genetic disorder , experts recommend genetic testing . Same goes for you or your partner who is in an ethnic group at high risk for certain genetic diseases such as:
Ashkenazi Jews (Tay-Sachs disease) African Americans (sickle cell disease) Mediterranean and Southeast Asia (Thalassaemia) Although prenatal genetic screening reveals which defective genes you and your partner are carrying, sees risk, and makes informed decisions about the future, it There are still some disadvantages. Test methods are not 100% accurate, and conclusions about the disorder can sometimes be wrong. Moreover, it is also impossible to know exactly how the genes will affect your children, if inherited the faulty gene will show the disorder, how severe it is...
However, experts Experts still recommend that women and couples get genetic screening tests to know and prevent the risk of passing on genetic diseases to later generations.

2. How is genetic screening?

Prepair test process:
Currently, there are quite a few methods for you to screen for genes before pregnancy, one of which is "prepair". This is a genetic test that can show whether either parent or both are carriers of dangerous genes that can cause serious genetic conditions such as fragile X syndrome, cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy,...
Prepair genetic testing includes:
Parents decide if genetic testing is necessary. Determining the right time to have genetic testing Genetic counseling and ordering genetic testing Samples at genetic testing centers Get genetic test results Further counseling If a person develops present itself as a carrier of the disease, the other partner is advised to undergo testing. If the results show that you and your partner are carriers of the dangerous recessive gene, you will be consulted with your doctor and geneticists about your next steps.

3. Importance of genetic screening before pregnancy

At Vinmec, customers are discussed about genetic risks that can affect pregnancy before becoming pregnant. Pre-pregnancy genetic counseling can help identify risk factors, help you and your family make decisions, and prevent occurrence or re-emergence in your family.
Vinmec genetics specialist will evaluate you and your family's medical history, provide you and your family with the necessary information about risk for future pregnancies, selection of screening tests and essential diagnosis so you can be well prepared for pregnancy. Discuss with you preventive measures such as preimplantation testing (PGT) for embryo genomic assessment and the necessary and appropriate tests for your case.
Couples should be screened before becoming pregnant to detect the possibility of genetic disease in cases where there is a family history of genetic diseases or with diseases common in the Vietnamese population such as anemia. hemolysis (thalassemia). Although screening can be done at certain times during pregnancy, before pregnancy is the ideal time to be screened to find out if you or your spouse are carriers of the gene.
Pre-pregnancy screening gives you the opportunity and time to plan a suitable pregnancy even if you are at risk of having a baby with a genetic disease with the professional and dedicated support of experts in the field Vinmec's areas of genetics, gene technology, obstetrics, paediatrics and assisted reproduction.

4. Pre-pregnancy health care and counseling program at Vinmec

The pre-pregnancy health care and counseling program at Vinmec is important and necessary. Helping couples have the best preparation, minimizing the risks that may occur in the next pregnancy.

In addition to genetic screening before pregnancy, Vinmec's pre-pregnancy health care and counseling program has many other services such as:
Preparation for assisted reproductive services. Counseling on pharmaceutical use and pregnancy. Vaccinations Vaccines Before Pregnancy Taking Vitamins and Folic Acid Food Use and Pregnancy Prevention of Exposure to Toxic Chemicals, Dangerous Physical Agents Other health problems for you and your husband (wife) To register for Vinmec's pre-pregnancy health care and counseling program, please contact the hospitals and clinics of Vinmec health system nationwide

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.