What Is Genetic Counseling for Cleft Families?
Genetic counseling helps families understand the causes and recurrence risk of cleft. Here is what it involves.
Genetic counseling is a service that helps families understand the genetic factors related to cleft lip and palate.
- What a genetic counselor does:
- Reviews family history for other affected individuals
- Explains how clefts occur (genetic and environmental factors)
- Discusses recurrence risk for future pregnancies
- Recommends genetic testing if a syndrome is suspected
- Provides information and support
- Recurrence risk:
- No family history: 1 in 700 (general population)
- One child with cleft: 2-5% risk for next child
- Two children with cleft: 10-12% risk
- Parent has a cleft: 4-6% risk
- When to see a genetic counselor:
- A child is born with a cleft
- There are other health concerns with the cleft
- The cleft is part of a suspected syndrome
- Planning future pregnancies
- The affected person is considering having children
Clinical Guidance
Genetic counseling helps families understand cleft causes and recurrence risk. It provides information and support for family planning and is recommended for all families affected by cleft.