Prenatal screening for Tay-Sachs disease by Louisiana obstetricians: A survey study

Background. Tay-Sachs disease has been reported to be more prevalent in the Cajun population of Louisiana. Methods. Questionnaires were mailed to 744 obstetricians; 151 responded. Results. Of the 151 responding physicians, 95 (63%) reported that they do not routinely screen their prenatal patients for Tay-Sachs disease. Of the 52 responding obstetricians in New Orleans, 29 (58%) offer screening; 8 of 23 obstetricians (32%) in Acadiana (southwest Louisiana) and 19 of 72 (27%) of the remaining Louisiana obstetricians routinely screen their patients. Of 46 obstetricians in practice less than 10 years, 22 (48%), offer screening; of 105 in practice longer, 35 (33%) offer screening. Of 100 obstetricians trained in Louisiana, 32 (32%) offer screening, compared with 25 of 51 (49%) of those trained elsewhere. Conclusions. Most practicing obstetricians in Louisiana are not routinely offering Tay-Sachs screening to their prenatal patients. Screening may depend on location of practice, duration of practice, and place of training.