Family Practice News articles from February 2002

Family Practice News archives from February 2002

CDC plans to urge wider GBS testing. (Antibiotic Resistance a Concern).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... CHICAGO -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is drafting new guidelines for the prevention of early onset group B streptococcal disease, recommending universal screening over the risk-based strategy. The move is spurred by new...

Vital Signs.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... VITAL SIGNS Average Compensation of Top Executives In For-Profit Health Plans, 2000 (*) Average Average Value of Compensation Unexercised Stock Options ...

USPSTF endorses aspirin for primary cardiac prevention: Panel's recommendations target men over 40, postmenopausal women, others at risk. (New Evidence of Efficacy).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Aspirin has been officially declared a key factor in preventing first-time myocardial infarctions and other coronary events. In a report that goes beyond previous guidelines, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force "strongly" recommended...

Beer drinking emerges as strong risk factor for gout: Calcium intake appears to be protective. (No Association with Wine).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO -- Beer was a strong risk factor for gout in a large prospective study of male health professionals. Dr. Hyon K. Choi and associates at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, examined food diaries...

36 Million adults now candidates for lipid-lowering drug therapy. (Impact of NCEP-3 Guidelines).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- The number of Americans eligible for lipid-lowering drug therapy is nearly 2.5-fold greater under the guidelines issued last spring by National Cholesterol Education Program, compared with earlier versions, Gilbert J....

Hearing 'her song'. (The Heart of Family Practice).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... As a resident, I had a memorable experience with a patient that has informed my care of women and children ever since. I continue to have a special interest in obstetrics and maternal-child health. The patient first came to me as a "new...

The doctor on the other side. (The Heart of Family Practice).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... My patients occasionally surprise me with uncommon stories. Juan came to see me, concerned about some abdominal pain. With unusually eloquent Spanish, he explained that another physician had diagnosed him as having an inflammation of his...

Pro & Con.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Should reproductive cloning be made available to people who want biologic children? YES I am in favor of reproductive cloning, also known as reproductive regeneration. Patients want to have a child, a healthy child, and they don't...

Letters.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Provings or Potentization? A few errors were made in the otherwise interesting column "Homeopathy: Does It Really Work?" (Alternative Medicine, Nov. 1, 2001, p. 11). First, the concept of "like cures like" can be stated as follows: A...

Nearly one-third of vertebral fractures are not diagnosed. (Miscommunication with Radiologists).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO - Nearly a third of vertebral fractures in women aged 65-80 were overlooked by local radiologists in a worldwide study of osteoporosis, with an even higher rate of false negatives (41%) found among those enrolled in North American...

FDA review may cut into thyroxine supply. (Action on New Drug Applications).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... WASHINGTON -- A Food and Drug Administration ruling may be limiting supplies of thyroxine preparations, according to a fact sheet released by the American Thyroid Association at its annual meeting. In 1997, the FDA decided that a new review...

Resource Directory for elderly assistance.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The "Resource Directory for Older People" is a listing of almost 300 public and private organizations that assist the elderly. Compiled by the National Institute on Aging and the Administration on Aging, the directory includes a description...

Ezetimibe may boost LDL lowering of statins. (Investigational Drug).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- Ezetimible may soon partner with the statin drugs to push low-density lipoprotein values 15%-20% below those achievable with statins alone, according to Stephen D. Turley, Ph.D., of the University of Texas, Dallas. Trial...

Implantable defibrillator therapy. (Bottom Line).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Costly implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy becomes far more economically attractive when a simple risk stratification scheme is used to determine the appropriateness of its use, Dr. George Klein reported at the annual scientific...

Vaccine recall. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... VAQTA, an inactivated hepatitis A vaccine supplied in prefilled syringes, has been voluntarily recalled because reduced antigen content was found in some syringes. Merck & Co., the vaccine's maker, distributed a "Dear Doctor/Health Care...

Ramipril cuts diabetes risk. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The ACE inhibitor ramipril appears to reduce the risk of developing diabetes among high-risk patients who take it to prevent myocardial infarction, stroke, and diabetic nephropathy, reported Salim Yusuf, D.Phil., and associates in the Heart...

Fingernail police on alert. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Long fingernails spread nosocomial infections, Dr. Shelly A. McNeil reported at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Nails extending more than 3 mm beyond the fingertip are more likely to harbor pathogens and...

Cancidas shortage. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The antifungal drug Cancidas (Merck & Co.) is in short supply, the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research reported. The shortage reportedly is the result of manufacturing difficulties and unexpectedly high...

Propranolol for life. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Discontinuing propranolol was associated with increased mortality that was unrelated to variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension, said Dr. Diane R. Abraczinskas of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and...

Vitex agnus-castus for premenstrual syndrome. (Alternative Medicine).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... * Herbalists have long recommended the dried fruit of vitex agnus-castus for the relief of female hormonal and reproductive disorders. * Recent controlled studies suggest a beneficial effect in premenstrual syndrome (PMS). History of...

Lack of information on alternative therapies for menopause alarms docs. (Fact Sheets Wanted).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... WASHINGTON - Feeling hamstrung by the lack of scientific data on alternative "therapies" for menopausal symptoms, physicians at an international symposium on women's health and menopause pressed a National Institutes of Health investigator for...

Arthritis: Hold the decaf. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Women who regularly drank decaffeinated coffee were more likely than other women to develop rheumatoid arthritis, according to a report at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology. In the Iowa Women's Health Study, 158...

Pregnancy and rubella vaccine. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Women need only avoid pregnancy for 28 days after receiving a rubella-containing vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Previous guidelines called for a 3-month waiting period. Of 680 live births to susceptible...

Dry eye syndrome tied to HRT. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Women who use hormone replacement therapy are at significantly increased risk for dry eye syndrome, said Debra A. Schaumberg, Sc.D., and her associates at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston. The prevalence of clinically diagnosed or...

Menstrual cycles and diabetes. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Women aged 18-22 years whose menstrual cycles are at least 40 days long are at heightened risk for later development of type 2 diabetes, reported Dr. Caren G. Solomon of Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, and her colleagues. ...

Cushions soften mammography. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Single-use foam cushions can reduce the pain of mammography while maintaining image quality, Dr. Susan G. Roux said at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago. In a study of 838 women from Sweden and 505...

Drug update: Crohn's disease.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Crohn's disease cannot be cured. The best that treatment can do is control symptoms and improve a patient's quality of life. Medical options also can be juggled to minimize the adverse effects of treatment. The goal of therapy is to...

FDA grants marketing approval for pimecrolimus. (Promising for Use in Infants).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Food and Drug Administration has granted marketing approval for pimecrolimus, the first nonsteroidal prescription cream for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in patients aged 2 years and older. The product, to be marketed by Novartis...

Derm diagnosis. (Children's Health).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... A young boy presented to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto with red, chapped lips and redness on his hands and feet. Kawasaki syndrome was suspected but ruled out--the boy was afebrile and had both hypertension and hyperhidrosis. Then...

Macrolide agents: One more effective, one better tolerated. (Pimecrolimus vs. Tacrolimus).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... PORTLAND, ORE. -- In comparing the new macrolide immunomodulators, tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, one causes less discomfort but the other may be slightly more effective, researchers reported at an international symposium on atopic dermatitis....

Tacrolimus tackles atopic dermatitis after steroids. (No Rebound, Washout Period).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Topical tacrolimus is a safe, effective treatment for atopic dermatitis that can be used on withdrawal of corticosteroids without rebound or the need for a washout period. In the first study evaluating this agent after cessation of...

Growth measurements could use more accuracy. (Training, New Equipment).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... BALTIMORE -- Linear growth measurements of children often were imprecise in a study of primary care practices. The accuracy of such measurements improved markedly in those practices that were given a training program and state-of-the-art...

Updated treatment of 'problem' otitis media. (High-Dose Amoxicillin Plus Augmentin).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... DENVER -- The world of otitis media has changed greatly since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published its most recent treatment guidelines-- and physician practice ought to reflect those changes, Dr. Michael D. Poole said at a...

Otitis media education effort. (Treating Day Care Kids).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The National Association of Child Care Professionals has launched an educational campaign on treatment of acute otitis media as a result of a GlaxoSmithKline-funded survey. Of 300 pediatricians who were surveyed, 98% reported that among...

Acute migraine treatment. (Products).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Axert (almotriptan malate tablets) is now indicated for the treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults. The drug is available in two doses, 12,5 mg and 6.25 mg, and is not intended for prophylactic use.

Generic antifungal. (Products).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Generic clotrimazole and betamethasone dipropionate cream 1%/0.05% has been approved for the topical treatment of skin infections caused by fungus, such as jock itch, athlete's foot, or ringworm. The generic cream is available in 15-g and 45-g...

Skin adhesive chisel tip. (Products).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Dermabond topical skin adhesive (2-octylcyanoacrylate) is now available with a chisel applicator tip for precise control over liquid flow and delivery of a fine or broad line. The adhesive is ideal for emergency room use because it allows...

Sharps Safety guide. (Products).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The "Sharps Safety and Needlestick Prevention" guide features evaluations of needle-stick prevention devices, intravenous therapy devices, and comparative evaluations. It also includes first-time reviews of safety scalpels, blunted sutures,...

Waterproof otoscope. (Products).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Sabre All-in-One otoscope kit features a waterproof and lightweight otoscope equipped with a 6,000-candlepower Xenon bulb and 2,5- and 4-mm standard disposable speculums. It also includes wax and foreign-body removal loops, a bent light rod...

Osteoporosis monitor. (Products).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Omnisense 7000S bone sonometer tracks osteoporosis at point of care by assessing bone strength. The device tests bone mineral density, elasticity, cortical thickness, and microarchitecture, while eliminating soft-tissue effects. It can also...

Peptic ulcer breath test. (Products).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Breathtek UBT breath test is now indicated for the detection of active Helicobacter pylon infection for initial diagnosis, as well as to confirm that the infection has been cured after treatment. The breath test is as accurate as an endoscopy...

Once-daily ADHD therapy. (Products).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Metadate CD (methylphenidate HCl) extended-release capsules are now indicated for the once-daily treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in patients 6 years of age or older. This 20-mg biphasic formulation provides...

Allergy relief. (Products).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Zyrtec-D 12 Hour (cetirizine HCl/pseudoephedrine HCl), an antihistamine with decongestant, has been approved for the treatment of indoor and outdoor allergies, and nasal congestion. Available in 5-mg tablets, Zyrtec-D 12 Hour is indicated for...

Cholesterol test. (Products).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The Lipoprint system is indicated for the measurement of cholesterol contained in each low-density lipoprotein subfraction. The system classifies patients into two distinctive profiles: pattern 'A patients have larger, buoyant LDL, and pattern...

How to find and cultivate physician assistants. (Career Tracks).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Dr. Wayne Kohn can't imagine practicing family medicine without physician assistants. The three physician assistants he works with help "smooth out the edges" of his hectic days as one of two full-time family physicians at Muskegon Family Care,...

New medicare services. (Policy & Practice).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Medicare has added a new specialty code that allows physicians to establish themselves as specialists in pain management. The American Academy of Pain Medicine says the new code will make it easier to establish billing codes that are specific...

Opposition to pharmacist prescribing. (Policy & Practice).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Pharmacists should not receive independent prescribing authority the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine concludes in a new policy statement (Ann. Intern. Med., 136[1]:79-85, 2002). Legislation in 24 states...

Research boost. (Policy & Practice).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Spending for health programs gets an $11 billion boost from last year's budget agreement, with major investments going toward research. The fiscal year 2002 appropriations bill that funds the Department of Health and Human Services provides...

Help for underserved patients. (Policy & Practice).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... HHS is testing new approaches to make prescription drugs more readily available to underserved and uninsured patients at a reduced price. One project calls on pharmacists at health centers in Washington state to make prescription drugs...

Nurse shortage bills passed. (Policy & Practice).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The House and the Senate have passed similar versions of the Nurse Reinvestment Act, which is aimed at stemming the nation's nursing shortage. Among other things, the bills provide scholarships and loan repayments to nursing students, and...

A modest proposal. (Policy & Practice).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Using employer-targeted premium subsidies to increase health coverage would have only a modest impact, according to a study from the Center for Studying Health System Change. Of the 16 million people working in small firms that don't offer...

Animal research controversy. (Policy & Practice).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The National Institutes of Health is concealing information about a controversial experiment involving live cats, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine claims in a lawsuit filed against NIH. The research, funded by NIH and conducted...

Tools point to reliable, relevant study findings. (Print, Electronic, Online Resources).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... ATLANTA -- One of the most difficult aspects of providing evidence-based medical care is finding the most pertinent and reliable studies within the vast array of scientific literature. A growing number of high-quality resources can do that...

Final 'Stark II' self-referral rules due in March. (Revisions Clarify Earlier Versions).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... WASHINGTON -- The final draft of federal physician self-referral regulations may help fix some of the problems in earlier versions of the regulations, Sanford Teplitzky said at a meeting sponsored by the American Health Lawyers Association. ...

Crouching vicar, hidden villain. (Indications).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Think your job is dangerous? A University of London survey found that members of the British clergy were more likely to be attacked than were doctors or probation officers. About 70% of surveyed Anglican clergy had suffered verbal abuse or...

Lyin' eyes. (Indications).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Researchers at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., have developed a high-definition thermal-imaging technique that aims at detecting deceit by focusing on a person's eyes. Apparently, lying is associated with a "thermal signature" characterized...

Snot so bad. (Indications).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Let's clear up the following mucus misconception: Nose picking, while socially unacceptable, will not make you sick. People routinely consume large amounts of mucus each day, whether they pick their noses or not. Further, dried nasal discharge...

Mental calisthenics. (Indications).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... Here's the solution for couch potatoes who have lost their zeal over New Year's resolutions to get more exercise. Just thinking about exercise may help to increase muscle power. Previous studies had proved the value of mental preparation for...

Anatomy of a Fad. (Indications).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2002... The new year no doubt harbors new diseases--whether real or imagined. So this may be a good time to consult the "Index to Fad Diagnoses" provided by Quackwatch, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to fighting health-related frauds, myths, fads,...

Demand swells for sports supplements. (Creatine, Steroids, Ephedrine, 'Andro').(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... BETHESDA, MD. -- Products marketed for enhancing athletic performance are gaining fans among athletes at all levels of age and ability--including 10-year-olds on the playground, casual health club members, and elite athletes. This picture...

Where the revenue goes in corporations marketing the top 50 drugs prescribed to seniors. (Vital Signs).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... VITAL SIGNS Where the Revenue Goes in Corporations Marketing the Top 50 Drugs Prescribed to Seniors (*) Revenue Percent of Revenue (in millions) Profit Marketing R&D ...

Early DMARD Tx reduced Arthritis disability by 30%: Severely affected patients should be started on the most powerful drugs. (Rheumatoid Disease).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO -- Prescribing disease-modifying, anti-rheumatic drugs early in the course of rheumatoid arthritis can be credited with a decline of more than 30% in disease-related disability in recent decades, researchers reported at the annual...

Nationwide shortages of Varivax vaccine reported: Merck blames manufacturing changes. (Less Severe than Prevnar Shortage).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... Temporary shortages of Varivax vaccine have been reported around the United States this winter. "There are intermittent shortages of Varivax [measles-mumps-rubella vaccine], and possibly other Merck vaccines, due to the need to make...

Rheumatoid arthritis therapy should start within 6 months. (Irreversible Joint Damage).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO -- Treatment delays of as little as 6 months can result in irreversible, radiologically evident joint damage in patients with severe inflammatory polyarthritis, according to findings from a British observational study "It is...

Supplement deregulation leaves athletes at risk. (Market Ripe for 'Snake Oil').(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... BETHESDA, MD. -- Athletes planning to compete in events in which they will be tested for banned substances should "shun all dietary supplements in order to avoid testing positive." Dr. Andrew Pipe bases that draconian advice on the lack of...

Creatine popular with student athletes. (Children and Sports).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... In a survey taken during annual sports physicals, 5.6% of 1,103 middle and high school students in suburban New York said they had used creatine to boost performance. Boys were more likely to use creatine than girls--8.8% of 604 boys,...

A crisis beyond terrorism. (Guest Editorial).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... It's time for Americans to look beyond their preoccupation with terrorism and recognize the need to address major social policy issues--especially the growing segment of the U.S. population that lacks access to health care. I happen to...

Does trauma cause fibromyalgia? (Pro&Con).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... YES Of the almost 1,000 fibromyalgia patients in my practice, I would estimate that half of them have fibromyalgia associated with trauma. Of those, three-quarters have experienced head or neck trauma. A growing body of evidence, while...

Letters.(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... PSA Test Needed 'Every Year' How much pain and misery are we going to permit and how many deaths are going to occur because we don't accurately define screening? While Dr. Ian M. Thompson talked about "annual PSA-based screening," Dr....

Sleep apnea therapy aids ejection fraction in CHF. (Small Study Addresses Common Problem).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- Continuous positive airway pressure may be an important new nonpharmacologic therapy for many patients with congestive heart failure, Dr. T. Douglas Bradley said at the annual scientific sessions of the American Heart...

Medicare extends CPAP coverage to include mild, moderate sleep apnea. (More Symptoms Added to Criteria).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... WASHINGTON -- Medicare's expanded coverage of continuous positive airway pressure devices adds a new target group: patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea. "This is a tremendous improvement over what we had before," said Dr. W. McDowell...

Bilateral leg edema flags obstructive sleep apnea. (Preliminary Study of 28 Patients).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... HALIFAX, N.S. -- Most patients with bilateral leg edema also have obstructive sleep apnea, based on a preliminary study of 28 patients. If the pilot study findings are shown to apply to most patients, "bilateral leg edema may be a useful...

Involve patients in colorectal ca screening choice. (Fobt, Colonoscopy, Sigmoidoscopy).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... ATLANTA -- Screening patients over age 50 for colorectal cancer is becoming the standard of care, but the decision about which screening method to use depends on what works in your practice and what your patients prefer, Dr. Paul S. Frame said...

Ibuprofen blocks aspirin aid. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... Multiple daily doses of ibuprofen block the antiplatelet effects of daily low-dose aspirin therapy, even if the aspirin is taken well before the first dose of the NSAID, reported Dr. Francesca Catella-Lawson and her associates at the University...

Patient ethnicity, treatment. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... A blinded study suggests that race is a key factor when physicians make decisions about coronary revascularization, said Dr. Sande Okelo of Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center and associates. Black patients generally have a lower...

Nefazodone and liver failure. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... The Food and Drug Administration issued a Dear Doctor letter warning that liver failure leading to transplant or death can occur in patients taking the antidepressant nefazodone hydrochloride (Serzone). The letter states that one case of...

Nursing home virus. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... Norwalk-like viruses were identified as the main cause of gastroenteritis in Maryland nursing homes after outbreaks affected 156 patients during one season. A genogroup II "Bristol-like" virus designated MD-145 was identified in 14 of 20...

Alfalfa Salmonella. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... Alfalfa sprouts have been implicated in an outbreak of Salmonella Kottbus early last year that affected 32 patients in the south-western United States. Acute diarrheal illness occurred in 21 patients, and 3 had urinary tract infections. A...

Epstein-Barr virus and MS. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... A link between Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis was supported by data from the Nurses' Health Studies. In blood samples taken before and after onset of multiple sclerosis (MS), gross mean titers of serum antibodies to Epstein-Barr...

Treating postpartum depression. (Drugs, Pregnancy, and Lactation).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... Postpartum depression, which has a prevalence of 5%-l0%, is characterized by depressive symptoms similar to those associated with major depression in the general population. Symptoms may begin early after delivery, appearing in the first month....

Prenatal candor might avert later depression. (Ask about Hopes, Expectations).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... NEW YORK -- A little prenatal candor can go a long way in preventing or minimizing the impact of postpartum depression, Dr. Diana Dell said at a press briefing sponsored by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. "Women...

First-trimester screen for aneuploidy is accurate. (More Time to Weigh Options).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... NEW ORLEANS -- First-trimester aneuploid screening using maternal age, biochemistry, and nuchal translucency measurement is "possible, accurate, and reliable," and should be more widely adopted, Dr. Ronald Wapner said at the annual meeting of...

Cancer, prenatal issues dominate genetic referrals. (Nationwide Survey).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... SAN DIEGO -- Family physicians are most likely to refer patients to genetic consultants for familial cancers and perinatal conditions, results from a nationwide survey suggest. Dr. Louise Acheson and her associates in the department of...

Ultrasound can boost accuracy of trisomy 21 testing. (701 Fetuses Evaluated).(Brief Article)
February 15, 2002... Ultrasound screening for the absence of a fetal nasal bone at 11-14 weeks' gestation is a promising new technique for refining the prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 21, reported Dr. Simona Cicero of King's College Hospital Medical School, London,...