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Down Syndrome Now Detectable In 1st Trimester
Washington Post ^ | November 10, 2005 | Rob Stein

Posted on 11/10/2005 11:42:40 AM PST by WmShirerAdmirer

Earlier Diagnosis Allows More Time for Decisions

A first-trimester screening test can reliably identify fetuses likely to be born with Down syndrome, providing expectant women with that information much earlier in a pregnancy than current testing allows, according to a major study being released today.

The eagerly awaited study of more than 38,000 U.S. women -- the largest ever conducted -- found that the screening method, which combines a blood test with an ultrasound exam, can pinpoint many fetuses with the common genetic disorder 11 weeks after conception. That allows women to decide sooner whether to undergo the riskier follow-up testing needed to confirm the diagnosis.

"This is a big deal for women. It's going to have a big impact on care for women, not just in the United States but throughout the world," said Fergal D. Malone of the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, who led the study published in today's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Screening women before the second trimester allows those who might opt to terminate a pregnancy to make that decision when doctors say an abortion is safer and less traumatic. It also gives those who want to continue the pregnancy more time to prepare emotionally for their child's condition, and provides earlier reassurance to those whose babies are healthy, avoiding weeks of anxiety, Malone and others said.

"This is huge," said Catherine Y. Spong of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, which funded the $15 million eight-year study.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which issues influential recommendations for prenatal screening, will update its advice to reflect the findings, officials said.

Word of the study triggered criticism from opponents of abortion, however, as well as from those who object to its use to prevent...

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: detectable; diagnosis; downsyndrome; duplicate; ikantserch; serchiz4otherpeople; trimester
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To: conserv13; BlackElk
A friend of mine has a child with DS. Its tough to deal with and I wouldn't wish it on any parent.

My in-laws adopted a Downs infant from Polish immigrants 18 years ago. It is tough to deal with, but my brother-in-law Mikey has brought great joy into the lives of his family, and many of the people who interacts with. Many Irish consider Downs' people the closest thing to perfection, as they have no malice in their hearts.

And as this case shows, there are families happy to adopt Downs' children.
21 posted on 11/10/2005 12:07:46 PM PST by sittnick (There's no salvation in politics.)
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To: hawkaw

Yup, so true. What do you think about people whose belief system says that YOU are a problem and need to be done away with?
susie


22 posted on 11/10/2005 12:07:58 PM PST by brytlea (I'm not a conspiracty theorist....really.)
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To: hawkaw
I guess it depends on your definition of baby now isn't it and what you believe in. I don't have the same belief system as you.

I believe abortion is murder, and murder is a capital crime.

23 posted on 11/10/2005 12:10:11 PM PST by Rightwing Conspiratr1 (Lock-n-load!)
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To: WmShirerAdmirer

I have a 12 year old daughter with spina bifida. I didn't find out until I was 5 months along. It didn't matter to me, I never even thought about getting rid of her. The doctors were telling me to have an abortion but I would never do that. So they were all doom and gloom, telling me she would be brain damaged, or a vegetable, or on a resperator all her life, but we had her, and the only thing wrong with her is that she is in a wheelchair. She is in the 7th grade this year and is starting to notice boys ( pray for us on that one). I couldn't imagined her not being here.


24 posted on 11/10/2005 12:10:48 PM PST by virginiadogstar
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To: hawkaw

That's great. Tell you what, why don't we start screening for babies that will be born blind, deaf, with abnormal extremities, a hyperactive personality, etc. etc. etc. and abort those was well.


25 posted on 11/10/2005 12:11:10 PM PST by Nazarene (Keep on coming, I'll keep reloading!!)
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To: virginiadogstar

God bless you.


26 posted on 11/10/2005 12:11:57 PM PST by Rightwing Conspiratr1 (Lock-n-load!)
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To: hawkaw

If the sperm and egg make it together and start growing that's life.

Anything other than that is rationalizing murder.


27 posted on 11/10/2005 12:12:27 PM PST by x5452
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To: WmShirerAdmirer
This cuts both ways. Unfortunately I do not have enough time to respond fully. I will say this, I know of other couples that were told that they would have babies with DS. After extreme pressure from their doctors they decided to have the children. Guess what, the kids did not have DS. So much for no fault medicine.

God Blesses us with very special gifts. We must be adult enough to recognize that God has entrusted us with them. One person with DS teaches us more than a million liberals put together.

28 posted on 11/10/2005 12:12:28 PM PST by New Perspective (Proud father of an 22 month old son with Down Syndrome)
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To: sittnick
"Many Irish consider Downs' people the closest thing to perfection..."

I am compelled to ask what the rationale for this is.

29 posted on 11/10/2005 12:12:51 PM PST by verity (Don't let your children grow up to be mainstream media maggots.)
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To: verity
I am compelled to ask what the rationale for this is.

I am compelled to wonder why you ellided the part of their quote where they stated why and then had the gall to ask.

30 posted on 11/10/2005 12:15:16 PM PST by Rightwing Conspiratr1 (Lock-n-load!)
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To: Rightwing Conspiratr1

I did not "ellided" anything.


31 posted on 11/10/2005 12:18:37 PM PST by verity (Don't let your children grow up to be mainstream media maggots.)
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To: verity

I am compelled to ask if you know how to read complete sentences?


32 posted on 11/10/2005 12:18:49 PM PST by Nazarene (Keep on coming, I'll keep reloading!!)
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To: virginiadogstar

There was teacher where I taught who was wheelchair confined due to spina bifida. He had such a great attitude about life. Anyway, I recently read in the local paper online that he just got married. That really warmed my heart. He's such a nice person. He never made an issue of his disability, and everyone treated him like everyone else.
We all have something, some are just more visually obvious.

God Bless you and keep you sane while your daughter is in middle school! That's a challenging age!
susie


33 posted on 11/10/2005 12:18:52 PM PST by brytlea (I'm not a conspiracty theorist....really.)
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To: conserv13
No. I have no desire to be one either.

I'll remember to thank the Lord for that.

I am the father of an adult with DS. I am also the father of adult children with no discernible disability. Let me tell you something - EVERY child is a burden to his parents at some point or other and EVERY child disappoints his parents at some point. My son with Down Syndrome - he manages to let us down less than the rest of his siblings.

34 posted on 11/10/2005 12:18:53 PM PST by old and tired (Run Swanni, run!)
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To: brytlea

That's a beautiful post. I know people with marvelous children, but they fuss that they don't get straight A's or wish they were taller, thinner, didn't lisp, had an ear for music - it's all foolishness.

My sister in law had a perfect child (before she became widowed and subsequently married my brother), but five years along he was hit by a car and was a quadraplegic with major mental problems. He lived to be 16 and when he passed she said she wouldn't have missed a day of his life.

You never know what life will bring you, only that G-d will give you the strength to see it through.


35 posted on 11/10/2005 12:20:44 PM PST by timsbella (Mark Steyn for Prime Minister of Canada!)
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To: WmShirerAdmirer
FYI, Earlier thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1519432/posts

36 posted on 11/10/2005 12:21:09 PM PST by wallcrawlr (http://www.bionicear.com)
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To: Nazarene

Touchy, feely, nonsense.


37 posted on 11/10/2005 12:21:52 PM PST by verity (Don't let your children grow up to be mainstream media maggots.)
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To: eleni121
they don't feel the pain.

Really?

38 posted on 11/10/2005 12:25:14 PM PST by newgeezer
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To: verity

The Irish consider children with Down syndrome a blessing becuse they are full of unconditional love. The more you love them, the more they give back. My two year old, Liam, has Down syndrome and he is a gift to our entire family.


39 posted on 11/10/2005 12:25:52 PM PST by Tadhg
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To: Rightwing Conspiratr1

My wife received her doctorate developing a method to teach children with Down syndrome how to play the piano. They are such amazing people. She also teaches piano to children with autism. These children do present unique challenges but they also uniquely enrich people's lives.


40 posted on 11/10/2005 12:26:08 PM PST by cdga5for4
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