Ashkenazi Jewish

There are a number of genetic disorders that occur in people from any ethnic background, but are more common in people who have Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. These conditions can vary from little to no medical complications to severe and life-limiting illness

Screening for the following conditions should be offered to all individuals (pregnant or planning a pregnancy) with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG):

  • Familial dysautonomia
  • Tay-Sachs disease
  • Canavan disease
  • Fanconi anemia group C
  • Niemann-Pick type A
  • Bloom syndrome
  • Mucolipidosis IV
  • Gaucher disease, type 1

Your doctor or genetic counselor can help you determine the best screening approach if you have Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.

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Last updated on Feb 14th, 2019