Genetic Counseling for Obstetricians

Clinical genetics is one of the most rapidly advancing fields in medicine. Spectacular progress has been achieved in this century with unraveling of the entire draft sequence of the human genome and identification of greater than 14,000 single gene disorders. A major contribution of these advances has been in diagnosis, management and prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders, as the treatment in most cases is difficult or impossible, and where available beyond the means of most families. With increase in the knowledge about genetic disorders, genetic counseling has become an integral part of management of any disorder with genetic or probable genetic etiology. Counseling should be undertaken by a physician with proper understanding of genetic mechanisms.