Counseling in medical genetics / Sheldon C. Reed.

  • Sheldon Clark Reed
Date:
1963
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Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

Credit: Counseling in medical genetics / Sheldon C. Reed. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    104 More Cures for Genetic Diseases He should point out, nonetheless, the possible prophylactic value of knowing that half the children of a person with dysplasia will likewise have the dysplasia. It might be noted that while the usual sex ratio of dislo¬ cated hip cases is almost 6 females to 1 male, Faber's data give a ratio of 1.7 females to 1.0 males when the classification is made according to the x-ray pictures that pick up the dysplasias. This difference in percentages indicates the importance of the normal difference in shape of the female pelvis from that of the male in permitting a higher frequency of dislocations. Perhaps a suggestion regarding the prophylactic diagnosis of the dysplasia would not be out of order. The anatomic defect of the acetabulum is probably present at birth and could be de¬ tected radiographically then or as soon after birth as convenient. If a defect is discovered, the parents could be warned that im¬ mediate medical inspection would be mandatory following all accidents and even apparently insignificant falls. It is not sug¬ gested that all babies be subjected to radiographic scrutiny- only those where there has been a case of congenital dislocated hip in the family of either parent within, say, the first degree of relationship. How will the physician know that there has been a case of dislocated hip within the family group? The only way that he can find out is to have the expectant mother dig up the data for her family and that of her husband. It should be ascertained whether there has been a case of clubfoot, harelip, central nervous system abnormality or dislocated hip among the children of the close relatives. It should be pointed out to the expectant mother that congenital malformations are frequent in the popu¬ lation, but by no means inevitable. They are not a disgrace and the parents are not to blame for them, even though both par¬ ents may make a genetic contribution to the unfortunate victim of the particular defect. This type of family history would be of