Antenatal and Neonatal Screening

The options in antenatal and neonatal care are legion. Preferences still tend to be subjective. In spite of much publicity that has raised public expectation, an up-to-date thorough evaluation of antenatal and neonatal screening was lacking. This book sets out screening approaches in a quantitative manner and will enable choices to be based on objective evidence of efficacy and, where appropriate, safety. Technical advances have sometimes been introduced uncritically and without adequate assessment. It has been assumed, perhaps naively, that the early detection of abnormality will invariably be a good thing. In this book, there is no such assumption that new tests or technical procedures are useful. They are only considered as a legitimate medical option if they can and have been shown to lead to improvements in outcome. Each disorder is defined and the screening procedure which is designed to identify the disorder critically evaluated. Priority is given to the screening of disorders which lend themselves to effective intervention and practical guidance is provided on how screening should be conducted. Most chapters include a discussion of problem areas and research needs. There are 23 chapters from leading experts from Europe and North America. The book bridges different disciplines concerned with screening and thereby improves the understanding of the subject and will improve delivery of preventive medical services. The book is directed at obstetricians, public health doctors, paediatricians and fetal medicine doctors, epidemiologists, geneticists, health care providers and administrators.