A new blood test for pregnant women has been developed that can identify "Trisomy 21," a genetic condition resulting in the fertilized egg having three #21 chromosomes. This is associated with Down syndrome. The test used the small amounts of fetal DNA that cross the placenta and circulate in the mother's blood plasma.
The advent of this test is good news. Current screening tests for Down's syndrome, such as such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, have a small but real risk of miscarriage.
This test is still in the development stage and is not yet available to the public. However, certain kinds of genetic screening -- a field still in its infancy -- are currently available and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends all pregnant women have this diagnostic option.
del.icio.us
Digg this
