Evidence-based educational resources for healthcare providers on prenatal and preconception genomic topics. See more resources in our Point of Care tool section of ethnicity-based screening, our section on Technology for more on

Carrier screening in Canada

Point of care tool: A set of tools containing the Canadian guidelines for health care providers on pre- and post-conceptional reproductive genetic carrier screening. (Reviewed March 2023)

Consanguinity

GECKO on the run: A 2-page, evidence-based summary for healthcare providers. Features a bottom line, red flags to consider genetic consultation, what consanguinity means for your patient. (Updated Feb 2019)

GECKO deep dive: A 4-page, comprehensive evidence-based resource for healthcare providers. Features a bottom line, what to know about the genetics of consanguinity, red flags to consider genetic consultation, resources, references and more. (Updated Feb 2019)

Expanded carrier screening 

Point of care tool: Expanded carrier screening refers to reproductive genetic carrier screening beyond one’s ethnicity and family history. Here is a pair of point of care tools for health care providers containing tips for offering expanded carrier screening and information on possible results and what to do next. (Updated March 2017)

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)

GECKO on the run: A 3-page, evidence-based summary for healthcare providers. Features a bottom line, current Canadian recommendations, red flags to consider offer of NIPT, what the results mean, benefits and limitations of the test (Updated Jan 2023)

GECKO deep dive: An 8-page comprehensive evidence-based resource for healthcare providers. Features a bottom line, current Canadian recommendations, red flags to consider offer of NIPT, what the results mean, benefits and limitations of the test, NIPT for microdeletions/duplications and sex chromosome differences, twins and multiples in addition to references and links to provincial programs. (Updated Jan 2023)

[A Guide to Understanding] Prenatal Screening 

Patient resource: This resource can be used by providers and patients to discuss and decide about prenatal genetic screening in pregnancy. Information is divided into easy to digest sections. (Updated Nov 2023)

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GECKO aims to aid the practicing non-genetics health professional by providing informed opinions regarding genetic/genomic conditions, services and technologies that have been developed in a rigorous and evidence-based manner with periodic updating. The content on the GEC-KO site is for educational purposes only. No resource should be used as a substitute for clinical judgement. GEC-KO assumes no responsibility or liability resulting from the use of information contained herein.