Service 02 — Pre-Marital Genetics

Pre-Marital Genetic Counselling

Thalassaemia · Sickle Cell · Carrier Screening

Cheq your partners DNA BEFORE you tie your knot

India registers 10,000–12,000 new Thalassaemia Major births every year. An estimated 42 million Indians carry the Thalassaemia gene — most without knowing. Every one of these births is preventable with a simple blood test before marriage.
4.2 Cr
Indians carry the Thalassaemia gene
25%
risk per pregnancy when both partners are carriers
1.5 Cr
estimated Sickle Cell carriers across India
100%
of these births are preventable with pre-marital screening

Why Screen Before Marriage?

Your DNA your story.

Haemoglobin disorders are autosomal recessive — carriers are completely healthy and have no symptoms. Two carriers can only be identified through a blood test. When two carriers marry, every pregnancy carries a 1-in-4 chance of producing a severely affected child.

Pre-marital genetic screening identifies this risk before conception, giving couples full information and reproductive choices — including prenatal diagnosis, PGT-M, or adoption.

Who Should Consider This?

  • All couples planning marriage — ideally 3–6 months before
  • Families with any relative with Thalassaemia or Sickle Cell
  • Punjabi, Sindhi, Bengali, Gujarati ancestry (higher Thal rates)
  • Banjara, tribal, or Scheduled Tribe communities (Sickle Cell)
  • Anyone told they have "mild anaemia not responding to iron"
  • Couples with a previous child with unexplained anaemia

What We Screen For

Condition Test Used Risk (Both Carriers)
Beta Thalassaemia HPLC + Genetic mutation panel 25% per pregnancy (Thal Major)
Sickle Cell Anaemia HPLC + HbS mutation confirmation 25% per pregnancy (SCD)
G6PD Deficiency Enzyme assay + molecular testing 50% of sons affected (X-linked)
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) SMN1 copy number analysis 25% per pregnancy (severe)
Cystic Fibrosis CFTR mutation panel 25% per pregnancy

Our Counselling Process

01
Joint Consultation
Both partners attend together. Family history review, risk assessment, and test selection.
02
Blood Sampling
Simple 5 ml blood draw for each partner. No fasting required. NABL lab processing. Results in 7–14 days.
03
Results & Options
Personal result session. If carrier couple: full discussion of reproductive options, prenatal diagnosis, and next steps.

Approximate Costs (INR)

Test Approx. Cost Notes
HPLC (Haemoglobinopathy screen, per person) ₹ 800 – 1,500 Primary carrier screen — start here
Couple Package (HPLC x2 + Counselling) ₹ 3,000 – 4,500 Best-value entry for both partners
Beta Thalassaemia Mutation Panel ₹ 3,500 – 6,000 Identifies exact mutation for prenatal diagnosis
Sickle Cell (HbS) Confirmation ₹ 2,000 – 3,500 Molecular confirmation of HbS variant
G6PD Enzyme Assay ₹ 600 – 1,200 Especially relevant for male partners
SMN1 Copy Number (SMA Carrier) ₹ 4,500 – 7,000 Recommended for North Indian communities
CFTR Panel (Cystic Fibrosis) ₹ 5,000 – 8,000 Punjabi / NW Indian ancestry