What is genetic counselling, and when is it useful?

Genetic consultation serves to discuss and clarify individual questions regarding genetic diseases. Affected patients, (expectant) parents and relatives, who may be carriers of a disease, can be informed in detail about the diagnosis, inheritance pattern or possible risks, and can discuss possible treatment options with  our clinical geneticists.

Genetic counselling as part of standard care

The reasons for a genetic consultation are versatile, including but not limited to the suspicion of the presence of a congenital disease or developmental disorder as well as malformations, an unfulfilled desire to have children, abnormalities and questions during pregnancy (e.g. increased age of one parent or abnormal ultrasound findings), as well as a familial accumulation of tumour diseases or other clinical pictures. The spectrum is broad and strikes all clinical disciplines, which illustrates the extent to which human genetics has developed into a central clinical cross-sectional subject in medicine in recent years.

The conversation with a clinical geneticist aims to facilitate the patients‘ personal assessment of disease risks and enhance the understanding of the disease.

The most important information from the consultation will be summarized in a comprehensible letter in understandable lay terms. If any questions remain unanswered afterwards or new aspects or problems arise, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Genetic consultation is covered by health insurances

For patients with statutory health insurance, a referral can be arranged by the specialist in charge. However, this is not mandatory – appointments can also be directly made at our site in Mainz, and patients can come to us using their health insurance card without the need for a referral.  The same holds true for privately insured patients, the costs are usually covered by private insurance companies.