Curious To Know Your Carrier Status?

Every couple wonders what their little one would look or be like. Will they have deep brown eyes like dad or long curly hair like mom? Will they be sporty or nerdy? Will they be the next M.F Hussain or the next mathematical genius Ramanujan? But most importantly, will they be completely healthy or not? And this largely depends on the genes that your baby will inherit from you. Your baby's genetic makeup consists of an equal number of genes from you and your partner. So, if either of you is a carrier for a genetic condition, you can easily pass it on to your baby. Knowing your carrier status is a great way to plan your parenthood journey so that you give your little one the best possible start in life!

Why Knowing Your Carrier Status Is Important?

Understanding the role of genes has become a central part of preventing inherited genetic conditions and sustaining life. Genetic conditions are caused by a single error in a gene and are often passed on from biological parents to their babies.¹ Let’s understand how.

Who Is A Carrier?

A carrier is an individual who ‘carries’ only one copy of an abnormal gene linked to a genetic condition. Such abnormal genes, when passed on to a baby, may result in a genetic condition, causing concerns about their overall health and well-being. And what adds to the challenge is the fact that a carrier parent is generally healthy & leads a normal life without showing any particular symptoms.¹

In simple words, you may be a carrier for some genetic condition and never know it until you have a baby! Therefore, knowing your carrier status before starting a family is a must!

How Can Your Baby be Affected?

A baby can inherit genetic variations associated with a particular condition from both the biological mother and the biological father.² And these variations are always passed down in specific patterns, including:

1. When Both Male & Female Babies Can Be Affected

If both partners are carriers of the same genetic condition, there is a 25% chance that each of their future children will be affected, a 50% chance they will be a carrier, and a 25% chance they’ll inherit normal copies of the gene. The conditions passed down through this inheritance pattern are grouped as Autosomal Recessive Disorders.²

2. When Only Male Babies Can Be Affected

If the biological mother is a carrier of an X-linked genetic condition, there is a 50% chance that each of her future baby boys will have the disorder and a 50% chance that the future baby girl will be a carrier. The conditions passed down through this inheritance pattern are grouped as X-linked Recessive Disorders.³

How Can Carrier Screening Help?

Carrier screening is a genetic test that confirms whether you or your partner carry a gene for certain inherited genetic conditions. It involves testing a sample of your blood or saliva, followed by a gene-by-gene evaluation. This test allows couples to find their chances of having a child with a genetic condition.⁴

Therefore, knowing your carrier status through a carrier screening test will empower you to make informed choices and plan a prepared future!

Who Should Consider A Carrier Screening Test?

American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend that all pregnant women or anyone planning to get pregnant should undergo a carrier screening test. However, it is also a good option for couples and individuals who:^{4, 5}

• Have a family history of a genetic condition.
• Have a consanguineous partner.
• Belong to certain ethnicities with a high risk of being carriers of hereditary recessive conditions.
• Would like additional information about the reproductive risks of having a child with a genetic condition.

When Should You Get Tested?

The ideal time to know your carrier status is when you are planning to have a baby (preconception stage), naturally, or using artificial reproductive technologies. However, in certain situations, carrier screening may also be recommended to couples who have just begun their pregnancy journey, especially in the first trimester.⁴

What To Expect From Your Results?

Positive Result

A positive result may indicate that you or your partner are carriers for specific genetic conditions. If you are at the preconception stage, you can opt for assisted reproductive techniques like IVF or consider adoption. For those who are already pregnant, knowing your carrier status may help you seek timely medical support and prepare yourself to care for a baby with a genetic condition.

Negative Result

On the other hand, a negative result may indicate that you or your partner don't carry any disease-causing genetic variations that can be passed on to your baby. However, you should be aware of the fact that no single test can identify your carrier status for all possible genetic conditions. 

Know What You’ll 'Pass' With LifeCell's GenesPass!

GenesPass is an extensive genetic screening test that helps you know your carrier status for various inherited genetic conditions. The Comprehensive GenesPass test analyzes 2000+ genes to identify genetic variations or abnormal copies of genes in your and your partner's DNA. Whereas the Advanced GenesPass test is designed to collect data on 864 clinically relevant genes giving detailed insights into a couple’s genetic blueprint. Both these tests use the NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) technology, delivering results with a detection rate of >95% and reporting accuracy of >99%.

And you know what’s the fun part? You won’t have to step out of your place even once! All you have to do is order LifeCell's GenesPass test kit online to collect your and your partner's saliva sample in the comfort of your home. Thereafter, mail the sample to our lab with prepaid shipping and get your results in just 15 days. You can even schedule a virtual consultation with our in-house experts to understand your results better. So what are you waiting for? Book your GenesPass Kit box and know your baby’s genetic horoscope now!