Dictionary

personal medical history: The case history of a medical patient as recalled by the patient.

paternity test: A test using blood group identification of a mother, child, and putative father to establish the probability of paternity.

predictive testing: A type of genetic testing used to determine gene mutations associated with disorders that appear after birth, or possibly later in life. It can be used to identify family members who are at risk of genetic disorders.

prenatal testing: A test that provides information about a baby’s health before he or she is born.

recessive gene: A gene that is phenotypically expressed in the homozygous state but has its expression masked in the presence of a dominant gene.

recurrence: When a genetically inherited disease shows up in more than one family member.

screening test: A test for newborns to detect for congenital disorders of metabolism and other conditions.