Prenatal Screening Breakthroughs Could Become the Norm

October 31, 2013 | Crandall & Pera Law
Prenatal Screening Breakthroughs Could Become the Norm

Prenatal diagnosis, a routine part of obstetric care, is on the cusp of further revolutionary developments of highly accurate and noninvasive tests, according to a recent article in The New York Times. 

Prenatal tests have been developed for more than 800 genetic disorders, greatly reducing the need for amniocentesis, or inserting a long needle into the uterus to extract fluid and cells surrounding the fetus.

The newest screening test is so accurate in detecting Down syndrome that few, if any, affected fetuses are missed. It can also detect other genetic diseases, like extra copies of chromosomes and a missing sex chromosome, late in the first trimester of pregnancy.

While the test is currently only recommended for women at high risk for having a baby with a chromosomal abnormality, and not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration, some doctors expect it to soon become routine for all pregnant women because it can be done earlier than other tests and reduce costs and the risk of complications. Read the full details here:

Breakthroughs in Prenatal Screening

Exciting breakthroughs are close to being approved in the detection, screening and treatment of Down syndrome and other genetic diseases before birth.

If you believe your child suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence, please call to investigate your matter fully. Crandall & Pera Law is available to help answer your questions and guide you in determining your next steps.