Genetic Testing, It Runs In The Family

Just as your child can inherit your eye color or your partner’s smile, he or she also can have a number of genetic similarities when it comes to health. While some disorders can be caused by a single gene mutation and may be very rare and complex, many common health conditions can be caused by multiple genetic abnormalities. “Some single-gene disorders include sickle cell anemia and hemophilia, and parents often do not have the conditions themselves but may be carriers,” says Kristine Rudolf, MD, Family Medicine Physician on staff at Crittenton. “Lifestyle and environmental factors can also play roles in the way diseases are passed from parent to child.”Common health conditions that can be passed down from parents to children include:

• Allergies
• Asthma
• Eczema
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Psychological issues
• Vision problems 

Good Health From the Start

Due to advances in medical technology, many genetic disorders can be detected through prenatal ultrasounds and laboratory tests. It’s also important to make sure your child undergoes all necessary routine checkups so any of these health conditions may be detected early if symptoms are not immediately apparent. “Routine screenings begin when newborns undergo heel-prick tests before leaving the hospital,” says Dr. Rudolf. “From then on, parents should take their child to well-child visits from 2 months to 2 years of age, with annual visits thereafter.”

If a health condition is diagnosed early, it may be managed or treated with medication or simple lifestyle changes.

Further Steps You Can Take

If you suffer from a particular health condition and are concerned about your child developing the condition as well, it’s essential to keep your child’s pediatrician informed about your family’s health history. “In addition to taking children for well-child visits, parents should provide their family physician or pediatrician with a family health history, including diseases that affect first degree relatives, such as parents and siblings, as well as grandparents,” says Dr. Rudolf. “By making the physician aware of health conditions that run in your family, he or she can work to guide medical care that meets the needs of you and your child.”

Taking Preventive Action

Serious health conditions, including cancers, can be genetic. If any form of cancer has been diagnosed in your family, talk with your physician about when to begin regular screenings—it could save your life.