Fetal Therapy

Diagnostic techniques such as amniocentesis and ultrasound have expanded the armamentarium of prenatal diagnosis. As diagnostic techniques increase in accuracy, the demand for something other than selective termination of pregnancy will also increase. The ultimate goal of this line of research has always been fetal therapy, not just the ability to make the diagnosis. Fetal Therapy provides in-depth coverage of diagnostic techniques and therapies for fetal abnormalities. Photographs and line drawings illustrate the techniques discussed and concise tables make the data easy to find. It is the first book to cover emerging techniques for diagnosing fetal abnormalities with an essentially no-risk, noninvasive test of maternal blood at 7-8 weeks' gestation. In addition to up-to-date information on the latest technology in this field, the book also examines ethical issues from a historic perspective and ethical considerations in offering and recommending fetal therapy for the fetal patient. Bringing together new ideas and possibilities for new procedures Fetal Therapy explores the issues involved in expanding the applicability and availability of prenatal diagnosis and the options for treatment.