DRAWING YOUR FAMILY PEDIGREE... (adapted from the New South Wales Genetics Education Program)
Read all of the directions carefully before starting. Aim to draw your pedigree showing 3 or 4 generations. It is not always possible to complete your pedigree because of adoption, lack of reliable information, or distance from your family. If you do not know much about your family history or if you do not feel comfortable drawing your own pedigree, try drawing a pedigree by having your friend tell you her/his family history.
WHY DRAW YOUR FAMILY PEDIGREE?
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Many diseases or disorders
tend to "run in families", that is, they can be inherited. Some of these
disorders are present at birth; others do not appear until late childhood or in
adult life. |
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In some disorders, early diagnosis - sometimes even before the symptoms appear - can lead to specific treatment. |
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An awareness of any disorders, which run in your family, may be useful for you and the early diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of hereditary disease. |
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Try to determine the genetic risks in your family after you complete the genetics tutorial. |
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Would you or your family benefit from genetic counseling? |
FAMILY HEALTH PROBLEMS TO INCLUDE ON YOUR FAMILY PEDIGREE
Many disorders have now been recognized as occurring more frequently in some families than others. Also, certain nationalities and ethnic groups may be more likely to have certain inherited disorders. The following list does not cover all genetic disorders but includes some conditions, which should be noted in your family pedigree.
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Blood Disorders: hemophilia or other bleeding problems, thalassaemia, sickle cell disease & Rh disease. |
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Cancer: bowel, breast, colon, lung, melanoma, ovarian, stomach, etc |
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Cardiovascular: high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol |
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Chromosomal abnormalities: such as Down syndrome or Turner Syndrome |
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Cystic Fibrosis |
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Diabetes |
| Epilepsy |
| Eye Disorders: blindness, cataracts, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa |
| Hearing loss |
| Kidney Disease |
| Liver Disease |
| Mental Retardation or learning difficulties |
| Muscular/skeletal: short stature/dwarfism, muscular dystrophy, arthritis |
| Neurological/Psychiatric: Huntington disease, manic-depressive illness, schizophrenia, Parkinson's |
| PKU (Phenylketonuria) |
| Respiratory: asthma, allergies, emphysema |
| Skin Disorders: psoriasis, moles, eczema |
| Tay Sachs Disease |
| Other genetic disorders |
If you have listed any of the above on your family pedigree, you should be aware that inheritance might play a role.
SYMBOLS TO USE WHILE DRAWING A PEDIGREE... (Refer to the symbols below)
If you don’t remember all of the symbols when you are practicing, don’t worry! Genetics, with all its symbols and terminology, is like a new language; you have to use it to really learn it.
NOTE: You will need to create your own shaded symbols for each condition. Include a key that defines what your symbols mean.
OTHER ITEMS TO REMEMBER TO INCLUDE...
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Date history was taken |
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Name of person taking the pedigree |
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Name(s) of person(s) providing the information (HISTORIAN) |
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Whether individuals are alive or deceased |
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Age and cause of death |
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The age of onset of the diseases |
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Ethnicity |
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Parental consanguinity (couples related by blood) |
PEDIGREE SYMBOLS AND LINES
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HOW DO I BEGIN?
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Start by drawing either a square or circle (to represent yourself) in the center across from generation III on the page of your answer sheet entitled “
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nDraw in squares and/or circles next to your symbol to represent all of your sisters and brothers
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nDraw in vertical individual lines for each person and connect all full biological siblings with a horizontal sibship line
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nDraw parents above the children and connect the parents to each other with a horizontal relationship line
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nDraw a line of descent from the parents to their biological children
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nRepeat the necessary steps to draw in grandparents and your children if you have any
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nOPTIONAL: You may choose to include aunts, uncles and cousins as well as your spouse’s side of the family
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nFill in important medical details for all of your family members by using the above guidelines…
