In Expecting Better, Economics Professor Emily Oster bucks the conventional wisdom of standard prenatal care. Her book's title, and her support for early prenatal genetic testing, however, casts an ominous, unspoken shadow. 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Emily Oster’s Expecting Better, Part II: Prenatal Diagnostic Testing, not new, outdated, & incomplete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 But Oster's lesson is not news, is outdated, and is incomplete.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 22, 2013
“Is that a man?”–HuffPostLive discusses prenatal testing for Down syndrome
Tuesday, HuffPostLive featured a discussion on prenatal testing for Down syndrome. You can watch the video at this link. Part of the discussion made me think of a very bizarre story from our past. 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
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
July 29, 2013
Accuracy of Down syndrome blood test remains unknown
It is coming up on two years since Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS) was introduced. The New England Journal of Medicine recently featured an article raising concern over how the new blood test for Down syndrome is being used. It cautions against the new test being used in the general population. Continue Reading
July 17, 2013
On Down syndrome prenatal testing, they don’t get to have it both ways
The recent press releases by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the video above show the inconsistency in policy positions in obstetric care. Regarding Down syndrome prenatal testing, they shouldn't get to have it both ways. Continue Reading
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