Genetic Disorders and the Fetus: Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment

Abstract

It was a great pleasure for me to examine a definitive work in the field of fetal genetic disorders, which has been written in an easily readable and literate style. The majority of the chapters are thorough in the treatment of particular subjects. All follow the format of an excellent, complete but succinct review of previous literature in a style reminiscent of the<i>Lancet</i>. Subsequently, there are extensive and lucid (ie, no inbred technical jargon) descriptions of the basic techniques utilized, be they cytogenetic, biochemical, molecular, or ultrasonographic. For the most part, the sections are followed by discussions of clinical applications of these techniques for prenatal diagnosis and the limitations of such use. Most of the book is devoted to the diagnosis of fetal genetic disorders rather than the limited available measures for treatment, but there is excellent coverage in the few areas where prevention and treatment other than pregnancy