Provides health professionals with a structured approach to the preventive care of children with congenital disorders. Over 150 conditions ranging from cerebral palsy to Down syndrome are discussed. The large number of conditions covered and the added perspective of a developmental pediatrician (Dr Cooley) provides a valuable resource for carers and parents. For each disorder there is an introductory summary of key information, followed by more detailed listing of general pediatric and speciality concerns, all structured to provide an integrated approach to patient care. For 32 common disorders or disease categories, preventive management checklists are provided: these checklists provide an ongoing record for the child's medical complications and progress and they are designed to be copied and placed in the medical record. The text provides details of medical complications and preventive recommendations supported by key literature and web resources for parents and professionals.

Each year more than 4 million children are born with birth defects. This book highlights the unprecedented opportunity to improve the lives of children and families in developing countries by preventing some birth defects and reducing the consequences of others. A number of developing countries with more comprehensive health care systems are making significant progress in the prevention and care of birth defects. In many other developing countries, however, policymakers have limited knowledge of the negative impact of birth defects and are largely unaware of the affordable and effective interventions available to reduce the impact of certain conditions. Reducing Birth Defects: Meeting the Challenge in the Developing World includes descriptions of successful programs and presents a plan of action to address critical gaps in the understanding, prevention, and treatment of birth defects in developing countries. This study also recommends capacity building, priority research, and institutional and global efforts to reduce the incidence and impact of birth defects in developing countries.

Raising hopes for disease treatment and prevention, but also the specter of discrimination and "designer genes," genetic testing is potentially one of the most socially explosive developments of our time. This book presents a current assessment of this rapidly evolving field, offering principles for actions and research and recommendations on key issues in genetic testing and screening. Advantages of early genetic knowledge are balanced with issues associated with such knowledge: availability of treatment, privacy and discrimination, personal decision-making, public health objectives, cost, and more. Among the important issues covered: Quality control in genetic testing. Appropriate roles for public agencies, private health practitioners, and laboratories. Value-neutral education and counseling for persons considering testing. Use of test results in insurance, employment, and other settings.

Rare diseases collectively affect millions of Americans of all ages, but developing drugs and medical devices to prevent, diagnose, and treat these conditions is challenging. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends implementing an integrated national strategy to promote rare diseases research and product development.

A pioneering work that focuses on the unique diversity of African genetics, offering insights into human biology and genetic approaches.

It has been recognized for almost 200 years that certain families seem to inherit cancer. It is only in the past decade, however, that molecular genetics and epidemiology have combined to define the role of inheritance in cancer more clearly, and to identify some of the genes involved. The causative genes can be tracked through cancer-prone families via genetic linkage and positional cloning. Several of the genes discovered have subsequently been proved to play critical roles in normal growth and development. There are also implications for the families themselves in terms of genetic testing with its attendant dilemmas, if it is not clear that useful action will result. The chapters in The Genetics of Cancer illustrate what has already been achieved and take a critical look at the future directions of this research and its potential clinical applications.

This book, written by a leading geneticist, examines the ethical and social issues raised by the genetic testing of children. The opinions of geneticists, ethicists and affected families are all included to give a balanced view of this controversial field. Issues covered include confidentiality, potential abuses of genetic information (eg the use of test results by insurance companies) and the value of predictive genetic testing. The aim of the book is to improve awareness of the complexity of the issues raised and provide suggestions as to how the discussions must develop - it therefore raises new questions as well as answering those that already exist.

CD contains copies of the checklists in the text along with additional supplementary material.

Genetics in the Clinicprovides a broad understanding of advances in genetics and their implications for primary care practice. The book begins with basic concepts in genetics, diagnosis and management of genetic disease, cancer genetics, and prenatal testing. Part Two deals with topics relevant to all areas of primary care, such as cultural and ethnic differences, the role of the nurse, and genetic counselling. Part Threeaddresses ethical or social issues applicable to specific practices. The book's final section considers regulatory matters, including the impact of managed care and insurance and employment issues. Practitioners who are knowledgeable about health care, but who have no special training in genetics, will find this book especially useful as they learn to deal with the clinical, ethical, and social implications of advances in genetics for their practice. Thoroughly explains how to obtain a useful family history, what kind of genetic tests to order and when, how to counsel parents about testing of children, how to counsel for late onset or susceptibility conditions, and how to identify those for whom cancer risk or other risk testing is appropriate. Expert perspectives on disability, ethnic, gender, and class differences, reflecting the wide variety of patients seen by today's practitioners. Glossary of genetic terms and extensive bibliography of print and electronic sources - useful for clinicians who want to update their practice or for explaining complex terminology to patients. Dr. McKusick is world-renowned for his expertise in the field of human genetics and specific genetic conditions. Contributors have been trained in various areas of primary care: obstetrics, paediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine, and nursing