Pre-conception and antenatal screening for the fragile site on the X-chromosome.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Fragile X is the most common cause of mental retardation after Down syndrome. It is the commonest inherited cause of mental retardation, and results from a dynamic mutation in a gene on the long arm of the X chromosome. Various strategies are used for prenatal screening. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether pre-conceptual or antenatal screening for Fragile X carrier status in apparently low risk women confers any additional benefit over the existing practice of offering testing to women thought to be at increased risk. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register (November 2001), the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (The Cochrane Library..