A woman is pregnant and over age 34. Chances of having a child with Down syndrome increase dramatically when a pregnant woman is older. A child has medical problems that might be genetic. When a child has medical problems involving more than one body system, genetic testing may be recommended to identify the cause and make a diagnosis. A child has medical problems that are recognized as a specific genetic syndrome.
Genetic testing is performed to confirm the diagnosis.
In some cases it also may aid in identifying the specific type or severity of a genetic illness, which can help identify the most appropriate treatment. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.