SINGAPORE: A new genetic screening programme has been launched by KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) in partnership with Temasek Foundation, targeted at Singapore couples planning for children or those who are already expecting.
The pilot programme, which will be free from 2024 to 2027, aims to help couples identify if they are carriers of severe recessive genetic disorders that may get passed down to their children.
It will also help them make informed decisions about family planning, said the hospital in a joint press release with the KKH-led SingHealth Duke-NUS Maternal and Child Health Research institute (MCHRI) on Tuesday (Sep 17).
Described as a “first-in-Asia”, the Temasek Foundation PREDICT (PaREnthood genetic DIsease Carrier Test) Programme covers more than 80 genetic disorders relevant to the Asian population.
In Singapore, public carrier screening is usually conducted for specific disorders, said the press release.
For instance, carrier screening is offered for Thalassemia major in all pregnancies. This helps families understand the risks of the disorder and reduces the incidence of the disorder by over 90 per cent.
“Children with Thalassemia major face mounting health challenges from infancy and require lifelong medical care,” it added.
Antenatal screening is also available for all pregnancies for Down syndrome and common chromosomal disorders, as well as high-risk pregnancies with known family history of certain disorders and mothers aged above 35 years.
The newly launched programme covers a more extensive panel of over 80 disorders relevant to Asians.
It includes disorders that are severe, resulting in shortened lifespan and severe intellectual or physical disability, said KKH and the Maternal and Child Health Research Institute.
These disorders, which include spinal muscular atrophy and primary bile acid synthesis disorder, are also common in Singapore, occurring in at least one in 1,000 people, read the release.
All screenings will be carried out and processed at KKH. This programme will also be introduced to other obstetric clinics in the future.
“Based on the pilot, KKH will assess how to scale the programme by 2027.”
Source: CNA
