Transcultural understanding of a hereditary disorder. Mucopolysaccharidosis VI in a Vietnamese family.

A case study of a family referred for clarification of cultural issues illustrates how a transcultural psychiatric service developed in the pediatric hospital setting can be used to advantage. A Vietnamese family with an inherited disorder. Mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome, MPS VI), resisted genetic counseling and contraception. Three out of their six children were affected, one with a fatal outcome. The transcultural consultation offered an understanding of their behavior and facilitated subsequent management.