To the Editor.—In recent years, because of the many advances in the field of genetics, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of families seeking genetic counseling. When a child dies at birth with multiple congenital anomalies, the parents are concerned about possible recurrence and are referred to a genetic center. Unfortunately, the only information usually available to the genetic counselor is a written account of the infant's anomalies. This includes such descriptive terms as low-set ears, broad bridge of the nose, ocular hypertelorism, micrognathia, etc. Since these facial characteristics may be found in numerous syndromes, they are usually of little help in determining the correct diagnosis. Without a syndrome diagnosis, it is difficult to give accurate genetic counseling.
In an attempt to provide more mining cific genetic counseling for such parents, the following information should be obtained when a newborn infant with multiple congenital anomalies