Large Map
  • Pediatrics
Why are moms in America lagging?
Why are moms in America lagging?

Carolyn Miles, the President and CEO of Save the Children,says …

Teens who text and drive more likely to take other risks
Teens who text and drive may risk more

High school students who acknowledge texting while driving are …

Food allergy diagnosis: What parents should know
Food allergy: What parents should know

The Centers for Disease Control reports that food allergies are…

Wrigley halts production of caffeine gum
Wrigley halts caffeine gum production

Alert Energy Caffeine Gum was introduced earlier this month by …

Study finds baby's spit-cleaned pacifier is OK
Spit-cleaning baby's pacifier is OK

Research has shown that babies need to be exposed to a wide …

Advertisement

Two-day test can spot gene diseases in newborns

Rapid method of DNA decoding a breakthrough

Updated: Wednesday, 03 Oct 2012, 4:36 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 03 Oct 2012, 4:36 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) - A new rapid way to decode the DNA of sick newborns may help doctors diagnose genetic diseases faster in their tiniest patients — in roughly two days instead of weeks.

Gene-mapping currently takes so long, and is so expensive, that it's not part of routine medical care. But researchers at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., say a speedier method could shorten the anguished wait for a diagnosis for some newborns in intensive care.

They combined a faster gene-analyzing machine with a computer program that uses a baby's symptoms to zero in on the most likely culprit. Wednesday, they reported using the faster test to help diagnose a handful of babies, and plan to begin more routine gene mapping of sick newborns by year's end.

blog comments powered by Disqus
Advertisement
Advertisement

Advertisement

More on WISHTV.com