Face reading revived to give doctors a head start in detecting genetic disorders
September 10th, 2007
Photo from American Journal of Human Genetics.
From the (UK) Times and the (UK) Guardian.
A new computer system designed by British scientists promises to revolutionize the diagnosis of genetic conditions by using three-dimensional photography to map children’s faces.
The software, developed by Peter Hammond, of the Institute of Child Health, at University College London, can already diagnose more than ten genetic disorders in children with more than 90 per cent accuracy, and it is being fine-tuned to detect more than 20 others. The intention is to provide clinical geneticists with a powerful new tool for screening children with unexplained medical conditions, highlighting potential genetic syndromes that can then be confirmed with molecular tests.
Advantages from the new technology, according to scientists: it could be cheaper than conventional genetic testing, and it could allow children to get treatment earlier.
The British research, published today, is also expected to allow doctors to screen children as young as two years old for autism disorders, such as Asperger’s, boosting their chances of receiving appropriate care and treatment as early as possible.
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on Monday, September 10th, 2007 at 7:01 am and is filed under Down syndrome, autism, fragile x, genetics, medicine, research news.
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September 12th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
This is fascinating technology; I had no idea that genetic conditions could be diagnosed through the analysis of facial features. It’s great that testing will be available for such young children, maximizing the benefits of treatment. Perhaps since it is cheaper than other means of diagnosis, it will also open up the possibility of testing to children of families who would ordinarily not be able to afford such tests.