Abd El Aziz, A., Mokhtar, M., Behery, A., Hasanein, N. (2002). Premarital Genetic Investigations: An Attempt To Reduce Genetic Disorders. Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 32(3), 651-664. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2002.212225
Amal M. Abd El Aziz; Mohamed M. Mokhtar; Amal K. Behery; Nargues M. Hasanein. "Premarital Genetic Investigations: An Attempt To Reduce Genetic Disorders". Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 32, 3, 2002, 651-664. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2002.212225
Abd El Aziz, A., Mokhtar, M., Behery, A., Hasanein, N. (2002). 'Premarital Genetic Investigations: An Attempt To Reduce Genetic Disorders', Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 32(3), pp. 651-664. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2002.212225
Abd El Aziz, A., Mokhtar, M., Behery, A., Hasanein, N. Premarital Genetic Investigations: An Attempt To Reduce Genetic Disorders. Journal of High Institute of Public Health, 2002; 32(3): 651-664. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2002.212225
Premarital Genetic Investigations: An Attempt To Reduce Genetic Disorders
Human Genetics Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt
Abstract
Genetic disorders represent a major health problem in the world. Major efforts directed towards lightening the burden of these disorders on patients, family, future generations and on the community at large. A total of 194 couples (future husbands and wives] were referred to the outpatient genetic clinic, Medical Research Institute, University of Alexandria for premarital genetic investigations. About 64.6 % had a family history of various genetic disorders. Consanguinity was found among 85.6 % of couples. Abnormal result of premarital investigations was found in 17% of couples. Twenty six couples were at risk of having abnormal outcome due to a disorder in one or both partners. These included 7 with chromosomal abnormalities [ two mosaic Turner syndrome, one Klinefelter syndrome, one pericentric inversion of chromosome 9, one balanced translocation carrier, one fragile X carrier and one had chromosomal breaks], 5 couples had B- thalassemia minor, one had sickle cell / B thalassemia, one had hemophilia, 3 female partners had diabetes mellitus, 2 female partners were Rh -ve, 2 male partners had epilepsy, 1 female had breast cancer, 1 male had syphilis, 1 female had toxoplasmosis, 1 male had hepatitis C virus and 1 male with familial hypercholesterolemia. Premarital genetic investigations are important tools in the detection of genetic diseases as well as the reduction of their incidence.