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The genetic counseling unit in Amir Al-Momenin Hospital in Semnan
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According to the public relations of Amir-al-Momenin Medical-Educational & Research Center
Since the beginning of November 2019, the genetic counseling unit in Amir Al-Momenin Hospital in Semnan has been set up with the aim of providing specialized genetic counseling services to outpatients and inpatients in specialized and sub-specialized wards. Now, according to respected experts, clients in different departments, if they need genetic counseling, are referred to the genetic counseling unit. After the consultation process and the possible diagnosis, in order to confirm the diagnosis and in cooperation with the laboratory department, specialized genetic tests will be performed on these patients at a government tariff. Referral patients from various specialized and sub-specialized clinics of the hospital and other medical centers can benefit the genetic counseling services in the genetic counseling unit, which is open every Saturday evening (Dr. Hossein Darvish) and Tuesday (Dr. Mohsen Susanabadi Farahani) in the pediatric clinic.
The process of genetic counseling includes taking a complete and accurate history of patients and people in need of counseling, drawing a family tree, calculating the risk of recurrence of the disease in other family members and relatives, possible diagnosis, requesting genetic testing if necessary, reaching a definitive diagnosis, determining prognosis of the disease and finally preventive recommendations for recurrence of the disease.
Types of genetic counseling
Pre-pregnancy: In some cases, during premarital counseling, couples are advised to get pregnant under the supervision of a geneticist. Couples who have had a recurrent miscarriage or infertility, or whose doctor advised them to get genetic counseling before pregnancy, should seek counseling before trying to get pregnent.
During pregnancy: If the initial screening tests show a high risk for the fetus to have genetic disorders, the pregnant mother will be referred to genetic counseling.
Diagnostic: Sometimes a patient with a genetic defect needs genetic counseling to diagnose or confirm the disease, or is referred to genetic counseling by other specialists.
Premarital: People who plan to get married or have relatives with genetic diseases, as well as people who carry common genetic diseases of the population, including thalassemia, go to a counseling unit for premarital genetic counseling.
Pre- and post-genetic counseling: includes explaining the test result, discussing the importance and meaning of the test, and explaining the possible consequences for the patient.
Who needs genetic counseling?
In cases that there is a concern about the risk of recurrence of the inherited disease in other family members or relatives of the infected person.
In kinship marriages, which are common marriages in the Iranian population. Existence of a mental retardation in family members or close relatives of the counselor. Existence of congenital structural defects in family members or relatives. History of metabolic disorders such as PKU deafness, hearing loss or blindness with genetic function in family members or close relatives. Genital ambiguity and chromosomal syndromes including Down syndrome, infertility, recurrent miscarriages, stillbirth. Family cancers including breast and ovarian cancers. Genetic counseling before and after genetic testing.
Dr. Mohsen Susanabadi Farahani
Medical geneticist
Dr. Hossein Darvish
Medical geneticist