Why Every Child Should Be Genetically Screened
Posted on: 20 August 2020
There are many tests and procedures that newborn children have to go through on an almost weekly basis to ensure that everything is developing as it should. From vaccines to the withdrawal and testing of blood, it seems like for the first year or so of your child's life, you are basically camped in your GP's office. However, there is one test that is often forgotten by many parents which could still be very useful and actually prove to be lifesaving in some instances. Genetic screening is a simple procedure that helps your baby have a much safer childhood, and here is how.
How Is Genetic Screening Done?
There are dozens of different genetic screening options across the world but most involve the withdrawal of a bit of blood, which is then run through special machines which look for signals that your child has a mutation in their genes. In other cases, where withdrawing blood is not possible or necessary, you may only need to take a sample of saliva from the child's mouth. The basic principle is the same: you just need a little sample of DNA that can be tested. Blood is generally more reliable but saliva can work just as well in some cases.
What Does It Screen For?
Genetic screening looks for a lot of different hereditary conditions that can be predicted from your DNA. Basically your DNA is the code that determines which path your body will take as it develops and ages. In some cases, your DNA will provide advanced warning of conditions like cystic fibrosis. In others, it simply warns you of a higher chance that you will be allergic to a certain type of food. If you know of a condition that runs through your family, then it is always a good idea to screen your child for it to prepare to fight it as best you can.
What Is The Benefit Of Knowing?
There are many benefits to getting an advanced warning to a particular type of condition.
You can begin treatment right away, and in many cases, this saves the child's life from what would otherwise be an incurable problem down the track.You understand why a child might seem to be acting strange and have the information on how to deal with them in a loving and unique way. You can protect them from dangers that would be totally harmless to most people. You can even test yourselves before you have a child to see if either you or your partner have underlying issues that might make pregnancy difficult.
In short, there is simply no reason to not get genetic screening done, so if you have a newborn child, then book them in as soon as possible.
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