Any Preventative Measures We Could Take To Avoid Our Kid Getting Tourette’s?

Posted on Wed, 15 Jan 2025

Question: Hi I am a 32 year old male on good health, but I have Tourette’s syndrome and my wife is pregnant (7weeks). I wanted to know if there is any screening we can do to tell if our kid will have it, or any preventative measures we could take to avoid our kid getting Tourette’s.

Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam TK (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No prenantal screening available

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
We can screen for a particular disease during pregnancy only if there are some typical and obvious anatomic, biochemical or genetic abnormalities described for the same disease. In such cases, doing an antenatal ultrasound scanning(for anatomic defects) or fetal blood sampling(for biochemical and genetic testing) will help us to predict whether the fetus is affected or not.

But, unfortunately, in Tourette syndrome, no such typical genetic/anatomic/biochemical abnormalities described, and hence we can not predict or do antenatal screening for the same. Also, there are no preventive measures available for the this disease

Some case are genetically transmitted(run in families), although the exact mutation/genetic abnormality is not identified. So if there are multiple family members affected, chance of having an affected baby is more, than compared with a negative family history. Apart from this we do not have options to screen or prevent Tourette syndrome in the fetus

I hope this answer will help
Let me know if I can assist you further
Regards, Dr Aslam

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Muhammed Aslam TK (22 hours later)

Thanks Dr. Aslam, do you know the % chance that my child will have Tourette’s? If it a boy vs girl as well? I have extended family members that have it.

Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam TK (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Boys more likely to be affected

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Sorry for the delay in response

As I mentioned early, Tourette syndrome can be two types- genetic and no-genetic. Here, since multiple family members are affected, this is likely genetic and hence chance of passing to next generation is there. But, since this a polygenic disease, we can not quote the exact percentage or probability. In fact, the chance of transmission varies among families, depending on their genotype.

Regarding sex differences, boys are approximately 5 times more likely to be affected than girls

If you can consult a geneticist, they can give more insights, after drawing the detailed pedigree chart. But, this needs a direct face to face consultations to be effective.

I hope this answer will help
If you need further clarification, I will be happy to help; otherwise you can close the discussion and kindly rate the answer.
Wishing for everything to be fine
Regards, Dr Aslam

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng