Samaa Assisted Fertilization Center, Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah, Dubai Clemenceau Medical Center (CMC), Dubai Healthcare City, Al Jaddaf, Dubai
Genetic Screening & Counseling

Hereditary Conditions & Genetic Counselling

Hereditary conditions, or genetic disorders, occur due to changes in an individual's genetic material — their DNA. Dr. Lida Anwari offers specialized genetic counselling in Dubai, identifying the chance of genetic disorders with practical diagnostic tests and finding optimal solutions.

Book a Genetic Consultation WhatsApp Us
What Are Hereditary Conditions

Understanding your family's genetic picture

Hereditary conditions or genetic disorders occur due to changes in an individual's genetic material, also called DNA. These disorders are inherited from parents or transmitted through generations. Genes determine your heredity and hold genetic information in the form of DNA, and due to various factors these genes undergo mutation and result in genetic disorders. Mutations can occur in a single gene or multiple genes, and genetic disorders also happen due to changes in the structure or number of chromosomes.

A few genetic disorders occur at birth, while others arise due to genetic mutations. The disorders present by birth are inherited from parents, such as haemophilia and cystic fibrosis. A few genetic disorders occur due to gene mutation in a lifetime, like exposure to chemicals and harmful radiation — for example, cancer occurs due to gene mutation.

Dr. Lida Anwari, with years of experience in gynaecology and fetal medicine, offers specialized genetic counselling in Dubai. She identifies the chance of genetic disorders with practical diagnostic tests and finds optimal solutions.

Hereditary conditions
Hereditary Conditions — What Are the Different Types?

Three Broad Types of Genetic Disorders

Mendelian Disorder

Occurs due to mutation in a single gene. The disorders can be sex-linked recessive, autosomal recessive, sex-linked dominant, and mitochondrial. Mendelian disorders include albinism, sickle cell anaemia, haemophilia, and cystic fibrosis.

Chromosomal Disorders

These disorders occur due to alterations in the structure or number of chromosomes, where chromosomes are lost or gained, affecting many genes. Some examples are Down syndrome, Turner's syndrome, and Klinefelter's syndrome.

Multifactorial Genetic Disorder

These disorders occur due to gene mutations combined with environmental factors. Examples include diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, and arthritis.

Hereditary Conditions — Symptoms

Signs That May Point to a Genetic Disorder

The symptoms vary according to the type of disorder, its severity, and the affected organs. Individuals may experience the following symptoms:

  • Breathing problems and behavioural changes
  • Cognitive deficits — the brain cannot process information effectively
  • Speech or social skills development delays
  • Digestive or eating issues, and hearing or vision loss
  • Poor growth and neurological issues
  • Movement disorders — muscle weakness and stiffness
  • Facial or limb anomalies, including cleft palate or cleft lip
Hereditary conditions symptoms
How We Diagnose

Tests we recommend to identify hereditary conditions

A few lab tests can show gene mutations, but you may not have a particular disorder. If you have a family history of genetic disorders, it's essential to attend genetic counselling from an expert gynaecologist, who may recommend:

Carrier Testing

A blood test that shows whether you carry a gene mutation linked to a genetic disorder. Carrier testing is a good choice for pregnant people, even without any family history.

Prenatal Screening

Prenatal screening is a blood test from a pregnant woman that denotes the possibility of a chromosome condition, helping identify pregnancies that may benefit from further diagnostic testing.

Prenatal Diagnostic Testing

Prenatal diagnostic testing identifies whether the fetus is at higher risk of genetic disorders. The test requires a fluid sample from your uterus, such as through amniocentesis.

Newborn Screening

A newborn blood sample is tested for any genetic disorders. Early detection can help in providing better treatment and support for the baby from the very beginning.

Hereditary Condition — What Are the Treatment Options?

Managing the Impact of Genetic Disorders

Generally, there is no cure for genetic disorders. However, we can reduce the impact with alternative treatments like:

Medications or Chemotherapy

Dietary Supplements or Nutrition Counselling

Speech, Physical or Occupational Therapy

Surgery to Correct Abnormalities

Genetic screening consultation
Why Choose a Fetal Medicine Consultant

Expert care for hereditary disorders in pregnancy

Choosing a fetal medicine consultant can help you diagnose hereditary disorders and fetal abnormalities during the early phase of pregnancy. Dr. Lida is a leading fetal medicine consultant with expert training in treating high-risk pregnancies and fetal abnormalities, performing a comprehensive range of diagnostic tests to detect and treat genetic conditions.

  • Genetic tests such as chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis, and umbilical cord sampling to detect fetal abnormalities
  • Ultrasound to detect growth abnormalities alongside the genetic tests
  • Genetic counselling for expectant parents based on the results
  • A personalized treatment plan for couples facing high-risk challenges during pregnancy
Fetal Medicine Specialist vs. Obgyn

Why choose a fetal medicine specialist over Obgyn?

Fetal medicine specialist Dr. Lida provides extra comfort during pregnancy and overcomes challenging situations.

  • Monitors the health of mother and fetus
  • Manages any unexpected maternal medical complications
  • Treats pregnancies with obstetric complications
  • Handles c-section or normal delivery
  • Ensures post-delivery support and care
  • Identifies the risk factors for future pregnancies

Related Prenatal Diagnostic Tests

Frequently Asked Questions

Hereditary Conditions, Explained Simply

What are the different types of hereditary conditions?

There are three broad types. Mendelian disorders occur due to mutation in a single gene and can be sex-linked recessive, autosomal recessive, sex-linked dominant, or mitochondrial — examples include albinism, sickle cell anaemia, haemophilia, and cystic fibrosis. Chromosomal disorders occur due to alterations in the structure or number of chromosomes, where chromosomes are lost or gained; examples include Down syndrome, Turner's syndrome, and Klinefelter's syndrome. Multifactorial genetic disorders occur due to a combination of gene mutations and environmental factors, such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, and arthritis.

What are the symptoms of a genetic disorder?

Symptoms vary according to the type of disorder, its severity, and the affected organs. Individuals may experience breathing problems, behavioural changes, cognitive deficits, delays in speech or social skills development, digestive or eating issues, hearing or vision loss, poor growth, neurological issues, movement disorders such as muscle weakness and stiffness, and facial or limb anomalies including cleft palate or cleft lip.

What is carrier testing?

Carrier testing is a blood test that shows whether you carry a gene mutation linked to a genetic disorder. It is a good choice for pregnant people, even without any family history. If you have a family history of genetic disorders, it is essential to attend genetic counselling from an expert gynaecologist, who can recommend the appropriate tests to identify any hereditary conditions.

How are hereditary conditions diagnosed?

A few lab tests can show gene mutations, though you may not have a particular disorder. Depending on your situation, tests may include carrier testing, prenatal screening — a blood test that denotes the possibility of a chromosome condition — prenatal diagnostic testing, which requires a fluid sample from your uterus to identify whether the fetus is at higher risk, and newborn screening, where a newborn blood sample is tested for genetic disorders so early detection can support better treatment.

What are the treatment options for hereditary conditions?

Generally, there is no cure for genetic disorders. However, the impact can be reduced with alternative treatments such as medications or chemotherapy, dietary supplements or nutrition counselling, speech, physical or occupational therapy, and surgery to correct abnormalities. The right approach depends on the specific condition and is discussed with you individually.

When should I seek genetic counselling?

Genetic counselling is the best way to detect genetic disorders, and consulting a genetic counsellor can help you diagnose and treat particular disorders. If you have a family history of genetic disease or any other high-risk pregnancy complications, it is better to consult a genetic counsellor. Dr. Lida Anwari, consultant gynaecologist and fetal medicine consultant in Dubai, is an experienced genetic counsellor who diagnoses the risk of fetal abnormalities and provides remedies to relieve your stress.

Ready to talk to Dr. Lida about genetic counselling?

Seek expert advice from Dr. Lida Anwari. Whether you have a family history of genetic disease or other high-risk pregnancy concerns, she will guide you through every option with clarity and care.

Book instantly on WhatsApp