Meagan Giles Choates1,2, Blair K Stevens1,2, Chelsea Wagner1,2, Lauren Murphy1,2, Claire N Singletary1,2,3, A Theresa Wittman1,2. 1. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, TX, USA. 2. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, USA. 3. Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, Houston, TX, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe uptake of carrier screening by male reproductive partners of prenatal and preconception patients. METHODS: A retrospective database review of all prenatal and preconception patients seen for genetic counseling in Maternal Fetal Medicine clinics was performed. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis were used on the data set. RESULTS: Within the study period, 6087 patients were seen for genetic counseling, of whom 661 were identified as a carrier of an autosomal recessive disorder by their referring provider or genetic counselor. Despite guidelines recommending partner testing for risk clarification when a woman is known to be a carrier of an autosomal recessive condition, only 41.5% male partners elected carrier screening to clarify the couple's reproductive risk, with a majority of males (75%) having screening consecutively. Of all assessed variables, the only significant predictors of male carrier screening uptake were female parity and earlier gestational age (p < .0001, and p = .001, respectively). CONCLUSION: With less than half of male partners pursuing carrier screening when indicated, its utility becomes severely diminished. More research is needed to explore reasons why males elect or decline carrier screening.
OBJECTIVE: To describe uptake of carrier screening by male reproductive partners of prenatal and preconception patients. METHODS: A retrospective database review of all prenatal and preconception patients seen for genetic counseling in Maternal Fetal Medicine clinics was performed. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis were used on the data set. RESULTS: Within the study period, 6087 patients were seen for genetic counseling, of whom 661 were identified as a carrier of an autosomal recessive disorder by their referring provider or genetic counselor. Despite guidelines recommending partner testing for risk clarification when a woman is known to be a carrier of an autosomal recessive condition, only 41.5% male partners elected carrier screening to clarify the couple's reproductive risk, with a majority of males (75%) having screening consecutively. Of all assessed variables, the only significant predictors of male carrier screening uptake were female parity and earlier gestational age (p < .0001, and p = .001, respectively). CONCLUSION: With less than half of male partners pursuing carrier screening when indicated, its utility becomes severely diminished. More research is needed to explore reasons why males elect or decline carrier screening.
Authors: Erik R Westin; David S Tsao; Oguzhan Atay; Brian P Landry; Patrick P Ye; Devon Chandler-Brown; Brian Alford; Jennifer Hoskovec; Akila Subramaniam; Kevin M Pawlik; Spencer G Kuper; Frederick D Goldman; Tim M Townes; Vivien A Sheehan Journal: Am J Hematol Date: 2022-05-02 Impact factor: 13.265
Authors: Sarah Jurgensmeyer; Sarah Walterman; Andrew Wagner; Kenny Wong; Annie Bao; Sarah Stueber; Sara Spencer Journal: J Assist Reprod Genet Date: 2021-01-06 Impact factor: 3.412