Helena's Health Care Clinic Advice Blog

Genetic screening is a very helpful tool not just for adults, but even more so for children. The earlier you can tell that a child may be more susceptible to certain diseases, the better you can prevent them or, at the very least, be aware of how to care for them should these diseases and conditions rear their heads. Genetic screening is the best way to tell if your kid has any of the hallmarks of the most common conditions that you will find in their genes, and it is painless and very simple to do. 

How Genetic Screening Works

To get tested, all you need to do is to provide a sample of your DNA, and for most people, this will involve a small blood sample. Some genetic screening places will allow you to provide saliva instead, or perhaps even a cheek swab. Once you have given this sample, you are practically done! Now you just have to wait for the results which can vary in their arrival depending on how urgent the need is, but your doctor or health care professional who took the sample will contact you as soon as they know anything.

What It Can Reveal

DNA is known as the building blocks of life, and it is the most fundamental part of your body. It dictates everything about you, and so from an early age, you can tell whether someone is predisposed to genetic conditions from thalassemia to cystic fibrosis and many others. Some parents even have genetic screening done while the mother is still pregnant, but that is usually only done when both parents themselves have a known risk of genetic conditions, thus placing their baby at a higher chance of getting it. It is important to note that even with a positive test it is not guaranteed your child will develop that condition, only that they carry the mutation that would allow for it. 

Using The Information

Once you have been given knowledge about a potential condition your child has, your doctor will have some signs you should look out for. You may also be given some guidelines about certain foods and risk factors your child has, and you may be able to better protect them from harm by avoiding certain activities that could trigger the condition. Other than that, their life will be completely normal as there is nothing to do but cautiously monitor them as they continue to grow into their own person. 

Reach out to a health care clinic if you are interested in genetic screening.