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 clinicians containing tips for offering expanded carrier screening and information on possible results and what to do next. (Updated Nov 2024)

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)

Resource for patients and public - A one (1) page resource to facilitate decion-making about NIPT and an expanded 3-page version including information about the conditions and diagnostic testing. (June 2024)

[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 GECKO site is for educational purposes only. No resource should be used as a substitute for clinical judgement. GECKO assumes no responsibility or liability resulting from the use of information contained herein.