genetic counseling, the process of determining the occurrence or risk of occurrence of a genetic disorder in a family and of providing information and advice about topics such as care of an affected child, prenatal diagnosis, termination of a pregnancy, sterilization, and artificial insemination. Effective genetic counseling begins with an accurate diagnosis of the condition because many of the more than 3000 known inherited disorders have similar clinical manifestations. Special biochemical cytogenetic or molecular genetic tests may be required. A genetic counselor also must prepare a careful, detailed family history, recorded in the form of a pedigree chart, and must have an understanding of genetic principles, especially a knowledge of the risks related to multifactorial inheritance. The most efficient counseling services consist of a group of specialists, including physicians, geneticists, psychologists, biochemists, cytologists, nurses, and social workers. Nurses must be especially alert to situations in which persons may need genetic counseling, must become familiar with facilities in the area that provide genetic counseling, and must help couples arrive at tentative decisions regarding family planning or the care of a child with a genetic disorder. See also genetic screening, prenatal diagnosis.
