Introduction to Quantitative Genetics

Abstract

Most symposia are immortalized in a publication, and this one, held in Bologna, Italy, in September 1980, is no exception. The book is divided into six sections: ultrasound, the diagnosis of chromosome abnormalities, neural tube defects, inborn errors of metabolism, fetoscopy, and planning and organization. Ten of the 28 chapters are devoted to ultrasound, and this seems excessive in such a book. There is, however, a helpful chapter by Campbell et al. summarizing their experiences with 700 pregnancies at risk for a fetal abnormality. One chapter deals with culture techniques, and this and much of the cytogenetic section is out of date. The chapter by Dr. Alberman is particularly pertinent as she discusses some useful points of planning and organization. Also appropriate are chapters dealing with the incidence of hemoglobinopathies in Italy as well as fetal blood sampling for these and for hemophilia. Drs. Rauskolb and Jovanovic report on 52 diagnostic fetoscopies of which only five were for fetal blood sampling; the remainder included congenital malformation syndromes, limb defects, and cleft lip and palate. It is curious that the cover should emphasize the prenatal diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders, for this subject is hardly mentioned and is not listed in the index. The large number of Caesarean sections in Italy after amniocentesis was a surprise. In summary, this symposium was held to promote the use of prenatal diagnosis in Italy, and hopefully it achieved its purpose. This book is recommended for obstetricians wanting information on all these areas together in one volume. In general, however, the broad coverage detracts from its interest to others involved in prenatal diagnosis, medical genetics, and ultrasound. The publishers produced an attractive book, and the figures are of good quality.