Q&A: My partner's first cousin has schizophrenia and I am concerned it will be passed to my child if I get pregnant.

by Dr. Aubrey Milunsky

My partner's parents were first cousins and there were no genetic disorders on his side of the family. He is from Africa (Egypt) and I am from Canada.

I know on my side of the family there are no genetic disorders, but on his side, his brother in law (also his first cousin) has schizophrenia. I was wondering if I were to get pregnant, if my child had a chance of getting this too.

There are clear and definitive genetic influences that may lead to schizophrenia. About 1 in 100 individuals develops schizophrenia. While there might be a very slight increased risk for having a child who might eventually develop schizophrenia, your risk is considerably below 1%. There are no specific tests that can currently be offered to detect either the diagnosis or susceptibility to schizophrenia.

Sign Up for Our Newsletters
Follow Us
from beyond babyzone:
Use a Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook name, profile photo and other personal information you make public on Facebook (e.g., school, work, current city, age) will appear with your comment. Comments, together with personal information accompanying them, may be used on BabyZone.com and other Disney media platforms. Learn More.
All the pregnancy info you need—from the first trimester to the last.
watch more videos
BabyZone Community
Look Who's Talking New
in BabyZone Community
From beyond babyzone
X

more in BabyZone

10 Excitingly Exotic Baby Names
10 Excitingly Exotic Baby Names
read more >
fetal development week 22

Enter your due date Don't know?
Privacy Policy
don't show this again

Your Pregnancy Newsletter X

fetal development week 22

Enter your due date Don't know?
Privacy Policy