The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine have issued new guidelines on the administration of prenatal screening and diagnostic testing. A critical reading of the guidelines makes clear that the justifications given for prenatal testing are limited in the case of Down syndrome to allowing for aborting the pregnancy and that preserving the availability of abortion as an option is the primary concern in the administration of prenatal Continue Reading
February 23, 2015
What’s (still) missing from the new prenatal test
At the beginning of February, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine held its annual conference. Again it was reported that the new non-invasive prenatal test is inferior to traditional screening because it misses too many conditions. Continue Reading
January 13, 2015
cell free DNA is NOT Diagnostic
While this point has been made in multiple professional statements and news reports--including here--the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) felt it worth reminding the world that cell free DNA is NOT diagnostic. Continue Reading
March 24, 2014
Prenatal testing for Down syndrome: does it respect a woman’s right to choose?
Prenatal testing for Down syndrome is ethically premised on respecting a woman's autonomy, her right to choose how to manage her pregnancy. Is that right to choose being respected if the woman does not know she had prenatal testing or does not understand the results? Continue Reading
March 11, 2014
What is the clinical utility of Down syndrome prenatal testing?
Yesterday's post on the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's statement saying noninvasive prenatal screening isn't ready for the general population left out a significant sentence. It raises the question: what is the clinical utility of Down syndrome prenatal testing? Continue Reading
March 10, 2014
Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening not ready for general population
The recent New England Journal of Medicine study has been reported by the media as meaning non-invasive prenatal screening is ready for the general population. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine disagrees. Continue Reading
February 10, 2014
Risk-free prenatal testing may increase risk of prenatal testing
In 2014, I attended the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) annual conference. Turns out, research presented there showed that a prediction of mine is happening: non-invasive prenatal screening may increase the risk of diagnostic prenatal testing. Continue Reading
December 20, 2013
The new era of Down syndrome prenatal testing
The newest prenatal testing recommendation now adds microarray testing to the options available for expectant moms. But how does this apply specifically to prenatal testing for Down syndrome? Continue Reading
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