Northern California Comprehensive Thalassemia Center

Standard of Care Guidelines 2012

 

23.0 - GENETIC TESTING

If HLA typing is performed when stem cell transplant or bone marrow transplant is an option, genetic counseling and education is vital due to ethical implications. A genetic counselor should provide initial and ongoing teaching regarding natural history and clinical manifestations; signs and symptoms of disease that warrant immediate medical attention; and available emotional and social support services. Genetic counselors should also provide available resources in collaboration with outreach coordinators and social workers (e.g., research studies, support groups, advocacy organizations, and patient-to-patient or parent-to-parent connections).