Genetic counseling in perinatal medicine

The obstetrician/perinatologist should be well informed about recent advances in human genetics that directly impact patient care. New indications for molecular analyses, specific limitations in their usage, and the need for interpretation of complex laboratory results emphasize the increasingly necessary clinical genetics consultation. The advent of DNA-based presymptomatic or predictive testing introduces dilemmas for patients and their families, and raises medical, legal, and ethical issues in genetic counseling.