GENETIC-COUNSELING IN PERINATAL MEDICINE

The obstetrician/perinatologist should be well informed about recent a dvances in human genetics that directly impact patient care. New indic ations for molecular analyses, specific Limitations in their usage, an d the need for interpretation of complex laboratory results emphasize the increasingly necessary clinical genetics consultation. The advent of DNA-based presymptomatic or predictive testing introduces dilemmas for patients and their families, and raises medical, legal, and ethica l issues in genetic counseling.