Genetics in perinatal nursing: clinical applications and policy considerations.
Genetics is becoming an important part of perinatal nursing care. The need for genetic counseling and referral may be identified before conception, early in pregnancy, upon the demise of a fetus with an abnormality, or after the birth of an infant with a genetic condition. Perinatal nurses often are present when parents first discover the presence of a genetic condition in their fetus or infant. Women who will be 35 at the time of their infant's birth and women who have family histories of genetic disorders should be offered appropriate screening tests.
Lewis
Judith A
JA
School of Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298-0567, USA. jalewis@vcu.edu
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000379:methods; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D016389:Maternal-Child Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D016742:Preconception Care / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D014481:United States