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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!eagle!mhuxt!mhuxi!mhuxa!houxm!ihnp4!ih1ap!pat
From: pat@ih1ap.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Amniocentesis
Message-ID: <209@ih1ap.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 1-Sep-83 08:23:27 EDT
Article-I.D.: ih1ap.209
Posted: Thu Sep  1 08:23:27 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 2-Sep-83 03:28:45 EDT
Organization: BTL Naperville, Il.
Lines: 17

My wife had an amnio last thursday. In response to the statistics you
(they) presented on the net, I must say that the risk/vs./results are
somewhat questionable. The primary reason for having this test performed
is the detection and possible abortion of a genetically defected child.
If the parents decide that they would rather know about the detectable
birth defects and accept the risks then it is useful in preventing 
the birth of these children. However, the consultation we attended 
showed considerably lower statistics of complication than were posted
to the net. Something like less than 1% probability of complications.
Secondly, I don't know where the "one in 360" came from but the
test is usually recommended for women over 35. The reason is a women
36 years old has a 1 in 125 chance of genetic problems whereas a
women of 24 has a 1 in 465 chance. With these statistics the risk
of complications can be justified.

Patrick A. Fargo
BTL -IH