Last week, researchers reported reversing the effects of Down syndrome in the brains of genetically-engineered mice with a single injection. Already, the potential for future treatments based on this technique has been questioned. Continue Reading
September 5, 2013
Emily Oster’s Expecting Better, Part II: Prenatal Diagnostic Testing, not new, outdated, & incomplete
In her book, Expecting Better, Emily Oster, an economics professor at the University of Chicago, writes about lessons learned while pregnant that run counter to the conventional wisdom about prenatal care. One lesson concerns prenatal genetic testing, specifically invasive diagnostic testing. But Oster's lesson is not news, is outdated, and is incomplete. Continue Reading
September 4, 2013
Emily Oster’s Expecting Better, Part I: Prenatal Screening’s Panicky Reassurance
Emily Oster is an economics professor at the University of Chicago who recently published her take on pregnancy, Expecting Better. In the promotion of the book, along with drinking during pregnancy and bed rest, prenatal testing is one of the highlighted points where Oster's book promises to buck conventional wisdom. Continue Reading
August 23, 2013
“Unfortunately, I have some bad news for you” about Down syndrome prenatal testing
As a companion piece to the HuffPostLive segment on Down syndrome prenatal testing (which I blogged about here), the Huffington Posts' Katherine Bindley reported on the concerns about adequate counseling. Let's look at some key quotes from that piece. Continue Reading
August 14, 2013
What does Ashton Kutcher’s Teen Choice Remarks have to do with Down syndrome prenatal testing?
Ashton Kutcher's remarks upon winning the "Ultimate Choice" award are receiving a lot of coverage, and not just because he revealed that his real name, his first name, is Chris. But what do they have to do with prenatal testing and Down syndrome? Continue Reading
August 13, 2013
Adam Wolfberg’s research says don’t offer new testing for Down syndrome to all moms
Actually, Adam Wolfberg recently said just the opposite. But, Wolfberg’s own research doesn’t support his recommendation. Continue Reading
August 1, 2013
“Not exactly a great scientific achievement”: prenatal testing in low risk populations
Yesterday's post generated a lot of discussion on Facebook and off-line about the role of maternal age and the incidence of Down syndrome. Today, we consider the value of prenatal screening for Down syndrome in relation to the mother's age. Continue Reading
July 31, 2013
Maternal age, the chance for Down syndrome, and prenatal testing
In 2007, the medical guidelines changed from only offering women 35 years old and older prenatal testing for Down syndrome to offering it to all expectant mothers. This, however, should not mean maternal age is irrelevant when considering prenatal testing. And, it turns out, something commonly reported about maternal age is incorrect. Continue Reading
July 30, 2013
How accurate is the new blood test for Down syndrome?
When receiving a test result from the new blood test for Down syndrome that says "positive," do patients understand there may be a one-in-five chance of a false positive? Or even a one-in-two, depending on the mother's age? Even genetic counselors admit this is difficult to grasp. Continue Reading
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