Genetic counseling for childless women at risk for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of genetic counseling in young women at risk to have Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) children prior to childbearing. A total of 263 potential DMD carriers, who had had g enetic counseling and were given different genetic risks, were included in this investigation. Their reproductive outcome and future plans as well as their requests for DNA tests (for carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis) were analyzed according to genetic risk magnitude, comprehension of geneti c counseling issues, family and personal history, socioeducational level, a nd subjective opinion about selective abortion. We noted that genetic risk magnitude had no significant influence on reproductive plans or outcome nor on the request for additional DNA testing, even considering only those cli ents with good comprehension and retention of issues discussed during genet ic counseling. On the other hand, counselees who had more than one affected or at least one deceased DMD case in their family understood genetic couns eling significantly better, suggesting that "learning with life" has a stro nger impact than genetic counseling. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.