In the first post on the Informed Consent Process, I discussed the element of voluntariness. This week's post concerns the element of "understanding" and is prompted by the recent ACOG guidelines on NIPT and an article from this Spring that introduced the notion of "the gradual trap" in the context of prenatal testing. As a reminder, the new ACOG guidelines on NIPT recognize NIPT as a valid testing method for those women considered "high-risk." Many, if not most, of those women will meet that Continue Reading
November 25, 2012
“These attributes do not define those we love.”
On the right side of the homepage, you'll see a scroll of my twitter feed. Unlike common uses of twitter, I do not update my followers where I'm eating dinner or what I think of the movie I'm watching. Instead, most all posts are links to news reports about Down syndrome. I invite you to follow the feed to see the news of the day. Some articles, however, are deserving of a larger exposition than the 140-character limit of Twitter. An article from last week is just so deserving. Dominic Continue Reading
November 23, 2012
Breaking News: ACOG Issues New Guidelines on NIPT
Since the 1990's, when fragments of cell free fetal DNA (cffDNA) were found in the mother's blood stream, researchers have been on a quest for what is regularly termed "The Holy Grail" of prenatal testing: a diagnostic test from just a mother's blood sample. If the fetal DNA could be identified and tested, then the fetus' genetic code could be diagnosed. Mothers (and practitioners) would be able to receive a diagnosis without risking miscarriage, as must be done with current diagnostic tests, Continue Reading
November 21, 2012
Giving Thanks: For those who get to know those with Down syndrome
Happy Thanksgiving! For those going through prenatal testing for Down syndrome, let us give thanks for those who make the effort to get to know more about Down syndrome. Continue Reading
November 15, 2012
What materials did your OB give you about Down syndrome?
When the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) changed its recommendations about prenatal testing for Down syndrome in 2007, it emphasized that obstetricians should be "well-informed" about Down syndrome and provide the "natural history" of Down syndrome when delivering a diagnosis. What was your experience? Was your OB well-informed and did they provide you accurate information about living a life with Down syndrome? I ask the question because studies have shown many Continue Reading
November 14, 2012
Top 5 Homecoming King & Queen Stories from NDSAM
October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month (NDSAM). And, each year, as regularly as football games kick-off, there are stories of high school students with Down syndrome being crowned homecoming king and queen. Some of the reporting is of the patronizing sort, which rightly deserves the derision by my friend Krista Flint (and other champions of inclusion). But, it seems with increasing frequency, there are fewer stories about the young person "suffering" from Down syndrome Continue Reading
November 12, 2012
Did you get to make a choice?
In 2007, professional guidelines changed. Now, it is recommended that all expectant mothers be offered prenatal testing for Down syndrome. Previously, offering prenatal testing was limited to mothers termed "AMA" or advanced maternal age, i.e. 35 or older. When issuing its updated guidelines, ACOG issued a press release to clarify that the recommendation was simply to offer prenatal testing for Down syndrome, not that expectant mothers should have prenatal testing. But how effective was ACOG's Continue Reading
November 12, 2012
Welcome to Down Syndrome Prenatal Testing
Welcome to Down Syndrome Prenatal Testing, a blog devoted to prenatal testing for Down syndrome. Here, the ever-advancing developments in prenatal testing for Down syndrome will be covered, along with helpful resources for practitioners and expectant patients. This blog will also feature commentary and analysis of research studies concerning prenatal testing and/or Down syndrome, as well as media reports and testimonials about living a life with Down syndrome. Those involved in prenatal Continue Reading
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