Essential Pieces to the Genetics Puzzle

Family history and physical exam findings are often the first clues that prompt medical providers to consider clinical genetics evaluation. There is standardized nomenclature for both the pedigree and description of physical features. Systematic evaluation of patients through obtaining family history and careful physical examination is essential to the formulation of a differential diagnosis and plan in the clinical genetics evaluation. The goal of this article is to provide an overview of family history and dysmorphology exam, and their relevance for the clinical genetics evaluation.