title: Genetic services and research in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
abstract: The state of Minas Gerais in Brazil has a surface of 586,528 km(2), and 18 million inhabitants. Infant mortality rate is 20/1,000, and congenital anomalies are its second cause. There are 11 medical schools where basic genetics, but not clinical genetics, is taught. Genetic services in the state include: newborn screening for hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria, sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis; clinical-genetic diagnostic evaluation and counseling; prenatal diagnosis, fetal medicine and paternity testing. Medical genetic services and research are underdeveloped because of limitations such as lack of health policies in genetics, small number of trained specialists, little knowledge about genetics among health professionals and low reimbursement rates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. aguiarmr@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Marcos José Burle
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Aguiar
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D019058:Community Networks; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000517:prevention & control; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000517:prevention & control; D033142:Genetic Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans