Patient's question:
My mom has two children, me and my younger brother. However, shortly after my brother was born, he was diagnosed with intellectual disability. He is three years younger than me and can mostly take care of himself in daily life. This year, I am planning to have a child and want to know if my brother's intellectual disability could lead to genetic inheritance in my future generations?Doctor's answer:
Hello, some intellectual disabilities have a certain degree of familial heredity, but some intellectual disabilities are caused by certain diseases or other factors during postnatal life. Regardless of the reason, if there is a history of intellectual disabilities in direct relatives, it is necessary to undergo thorough examinations during pre-pregnancy, such as chromosomal examinations for both partners. Additionally, after conception, non-invasive DNA testing or amniocentesis should be performed to rule out intellectual issues in the fetus.