Duke University Research Study

During my prengnacy I researched alot on Anencephaly. In me research I found a website http://www.chg.duke.edu/diseases/anencephaly.html with information that Duke University is doing a research study on Anencephaly and other Neural Tube Defects. They are trying to gather more information on how these anomolies happen and form, and the causes. The more information we have on them, the better it will be to help women like myself prevent this from happenening to our babies. In the study Enrique and I had to donate blood a few months back, we have to do a phone interview with our family medicak history, and when Elisha was born we had to collect his cord blood and send it to Duke University. I asked the woman doing to study if she would check for any chromosomal problems with my son, because of our past pregnancies I would like to know if there was anything else wrong with him. She said that she would be happy to do a chromosomal check on Elisha at no charge. Then I thought it would not hurt to ask if she would do genetic testing on Enrique and I. She said IF there was something chromosomally out of order with Elisha she will to genectic testing on us both. Genetic testing is VERY expensive and it is something that insurance does not cover, so this is a blessing to us to have done.
With that being said, Elisha had a heart defect he had only 3 chambers. It was called a VSD Ventrical Septal Defect. Which CAN be reason to look for a chromosomal problem...but after he was born and the nurse had checked him, he also had a Cleft Palate. With the two together there is a higher chance that he did have some sort of chromosomal anomoly. I spoke with Duke on Thursday and she said she went ahead and delivered some of his cord blood to LabCorp to check for chromosomal anomolies. As much as I wish I knew if there was something wrong with me having children, I am scared to death for them to tell me I just can't have children. She said I will geg the results back from Elisha in less than 2 weeks, then if there is something they will procede with genetic testing on us. As soon as I find out the results on Elisha, I will post and let everyone know. As always, I ask to keep us in prayer for this news we are going to receive. Thank you to everyone for checking in on us.