Clinical Information

Because an individual can be a carrier for an autosomal recessive condition without showing signs or symptoms, there is often no family history of such disorders. Therefore, without a family history, a reproductive couple may not know if they have an increased risk to have a child with a given genetic disorder. Carrier screening either before or during a pregnancy can help a reproductive couple further understand their risk to have a child with a genetic condition.

Carrier screening for genetic variants associated with cystic fibrosis (CF) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are considered standard of care by American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG).(1,2) However, screening for CF and SMA alone would miss other common conditions. This focused test screens for select variants associated with the following conditions: alpha thalassemia, beta thalassemia, cystic fibrosis, fragile X syndrome, sickle cell anemia, and spinal muscular atrophy. It is recommended that screening tests be offered to all couples regardless of their ancestry.(2)

If there is a history of a genetic condition in the family, it is recommended that the at-risk partner be tested for the known variant in the family. In order to confirm that the familial variant is covered by this test, contact the laboratory to facilitate testing; call 800-533-1710.