How would you start a letter to a family telling them their child has a genetic disease?

Recently your (son/daughter), ________ underwent genetic testing. The results of this testing reveal that ________ is positive for ___________itis.

_____itis is a rare, genetic disorder that affects both the nervous and musculoskeletal systems and can severely shorten the lifespan. There is currently ongoing research in this area of genetic disorders and results are hopeful.

Please contact Mary Jones, PhD, one of our genetic counselors if you have any questions or concerns. She can reached at 000-000-0000. Dr. Jones can be a great source of information about _______itis treatments and parent support groups.

Sincerely,

Joe Soandso, MD

The Genetic Group

Most doctors would just be very up front and either tell them over the phone/in person in a matter of fact way that the child has the disease or they would just send the test results.

Are you writing from the position of the doctor?

If so, maybe:

To whom it may concern (or To the family of -child's name-),

In regards to the tests carried out on your son/daughter,

I am afraid the outlook is negative as it is apparent that he/she is a sufferer of -disease-

hope that helped

xo portia

I would never just write a letter. You have to speak to the family face to face - they are going to have a lot of questions.