Genetic Diseases and Disorders

Approximately 3% of babies born in Australia have a genetic condition.

Many of the health or developmental problems seen at birth are either directly due to a fault in the genetic information, or are due to a combination of the inherited genetic information and environmental factors such as diet, chemical exposure and lifestyle. Other genetic conditions may not be noticed until childhood, adolescence or adulthood.

Follow the links below to find information about genetic diseases and disorders.

For information on genetic screening and diagnosis of specific genetic conditions, follow the links to the HealthInsite topic pages below.

Updated February 2009

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Related HealthInsite Topics

Birth Defects
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about birth defects, including congenital heart defects, spina bifida, cleft lip and palate and various syndromes.
Brain Diseases
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about a range of brain diseases.
Chromosome Defects
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about chromosome defects, including Down Syndrome and Fragile X Syndrome.
Colour Blindness
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about colour blindness.
Cystic Fibrosis
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on cystic fibrosis.
Genetic Screening
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on genetic screening and diagnosis.
Haemophilia
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about haemophilia.
Huntington's Disease
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information and support for people affected by Huntington´s Disease.
Long QT Syndrome
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about Long QT Syndrome.
Muscular Dystrophy
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on muscular dystrophy.
Phenylketonuria
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about phenylketonuria.
Sickle Cell Disease
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about sickle cell disease.
Thalassaemia
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on thalassaemia.
Tourette Syndrome
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about Tourette Syndrome.
Tuberous Sclerosis
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about tuberous sclerosis, a genetic disorder that commonly causes tuber like growths in the brain.

48 Resources Found
Results 1 to 20 displayed.
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Title:   Media release. National Epidermolysis Bullosa dressing scheme begins soon
Publisher:   Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
Description:   This week, 26-31 October, is International Epidermolysis Bullosa Awareness Week.
Date:   Oct 2009

Title:   Genetics Directory
Publisher:   The Cancer Council Australia
Description:   Provides a link to access The Cancer Genetics Education Resource Directory which provides a list of Australian publications and resources for health professionals and members of the public to download.
Date:   Aug 2009

Title:   Family history and cancer
Publisher:   The Cancer Council Australia
Description:   Provides information about what a family history of cancer is and what consumers should do if they have a family history of cancer.
Date:   Aug 2009

Title:   Human genetics and genetic technologies
Publisher:   National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Description:   Nationally and internationally advances in genetic research and genetic testing are ongoing. Information on ethical aspects of genetic research and genetic testing including privacy and confidentiality, are provided.
Date:   Aug 2009

Title:   eGenetics
Publisher:   National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Description:   eGenetics is an Australia-wide collection of links and resources for genetic diseases.
Date:   Jul 2009

Title:   Genes - not the kind you wear!
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   What are genes? How embarrassing is it when you haven't seen a friend of the family or a relative for a while, and they say things like 'he looks just like his father!' Why would they say stuff like that?
Date:   Jun 2009

Title:   Kidneys - polycystic kidney disease
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic condition characterised by the growth of cysts on the kidneys. There is currently no cure but medical treatment can manage symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. Complications may include urinary tract infections, high blood pressure and kidney failure.
Date:   May 2009

Title:   Frequently Asked Questions & Facts - von Willebrand Disorder - Bleeding Disorders
Publisher:   Haemophilia Foundation Australia
Description:   Answers to FAQs about von Willebrand disorder / disease (vWD), including what it is, types of vWD, how you get it, how common it is, how to manage it.
Date:   May 2009

Title:   Gene therapy
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Inheriting faulty genes can directly cause a wide range of disorders, such as cystic fibrosis and haemophilia, and cause susceptibility to some cancers. Gene therapy is an experimental form of treatment that aims to get rid of genetic diseases at their source. Gene therapy may be used to replace a faulty gene with a healthy version or to introduce a new gene to cure a condition or modify its effects.
Date:   Apr 2009

Title:   Carnitine supplementation for inborn errors of metabolism
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
Description:   Inborn errors of metabolism are genetic disorders which have a wide range of symptoms. These often start at or soon after birth but may appear first at any time during adulthood. Affected individuals may need to deal with symptoms of the disease through...
Date:   Feb 2009

Title:   Infantile spinal muscular atrophy
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Infantile spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited genetic condition and is also known as Werdnig-Hoffman disease. The nerve cells that service the muscles don't work properly, causing muscle weakness and withering. There is no cure. Treatment can ease complications including pneumonia and breathing difficulties. A child with SMA rarely lives beyond three years.
Date:   Dec 2008

Title:   Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia - myDr.com.au
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia is a condition that causes malformations of the small blood vessels in multiple areas throughout the body.
Date:   Oct 2008

Title:   Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rapidly progressive disease that causes deterioration of the brain. It is one of a group of rare diseases that affects humans and animals. Variant CJD is sometimes referred to as 'mad cow disease'. There is no cure and death usually results within two years of the symptoms first appearing.
Date:   Sep 2008

Title:   Bisphosphonate therapy for osteogenesis imperfecta
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
Description:   Osteogenesis imperfecta is an inherited disorder of type I collagen characterized by low bone mass, bone fragility, and fractures with minimal or no trauma. Treatment for the disorder is largely supportive, but recently bisphosphonate therapy has been e...
Date:   Aug 2008

Title:   Von Willebrand's disorder
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Von Willebrand's disorder (VWD) is an inherited bleeding disorder. People with von Willebrand's may have frequent nosebleeds, easy bruising, heavy menstruation (periods) and/or excessive bleeding from the mouth. VWD can be so mild that people do not know they have the condition until they have surgery or a major accident.
Date:   Jul 2008

Title:   Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an inherited disorder of the adrenal glands. The condition is often diagnosed at birth. It means the child will either not produce adrenal hormones or will produce them in the wrong amounts. There is no cure, but CAH can be managed with hormonal treatment.
Date:   Jun 2008

Title:   von Willebrand disease - myDr.com.au
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   Find out about Von Willebrand disease, an inherited bleeding disorder that affects one in 1000 people.
Date:   May 2008

Title:   Treacher Collins syndrome
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Treacher Collins syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the growth and development of the head. This condition causes facial birth defects, cleft palate and hearing loss. In most cases, the child's intelligence is normal. Treatment includes reconstructive craniofacial surgery. Treacher Collins syndrome is also known as mandibulofacial dysostosis or Franceschetti's syndrome.
Date:   Apr 2008

Title:   Promyelocytic leukaemia (PML)
Publisher:   Virtual Medical Centre.com
Description:   Information on the symptoms, treatment and diagnosis of Promyelocytic leukaemia by professional health specialists.
Date:   Apr 2008

Title:   Kabuki syndrome
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Kabuki syndrome is a rare genetic disorder with a range of characteristics including intellectual disability, distinctive facial features and skeletal abnormalities. The condition is also known as Niikawa-Kuroki syndrome and appears to be more common in Japanese people. There is no cure.
Date:   Mar 2008
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