Table 1.

Healthcare programs available in the medical genetics services for the primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare levels in Cuba

Life stage	Healthcare program
Prenatal	Prevention of sickle‐cell anemia by the detection of carriers and prenatal diagnosis.
	Detection of congenital defects by the quantification of alpha‐fetoprotein in maternal serum.
	Detection of congenital defects by ultrasound techniques in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy.
	Prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal anomalies for pregnancies with increased genetic risk.
Neonatal	Neonatal screening of phenylketonuria, galactosemia, biotinidase deficiency, congenital hypothyroidism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
	Evaluation of the newborn at birth and in the first three months of life.
Postnatal	Clinical diagnosis of genetic diseases.
	Genetic counseling in common diseases.

Source: Marcheco‐Teruel (2009b). The national program for the diagnosis, managing and prevention of genetic diseases and birth defects in Cuba: 1981–2009. Rev Cubana Genet Comunit. 3(2–3):167–84.