ADVISORY/UCLA, UCSD and NIH Experts to Discuss California's Newborn Screening Pilot Program at March of Dimes Conference.

News/Assignment Editors, Health & Medical Writers

ADVISORY...for Thursday-Saturday (Jan. 24-26)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

WHAT:

    Infant and maternal health professionals from many disciplines
    will share their expertise this week as the March of Dimes
    Southern California Chapter holds a unique professional education
    conference in Long Beach. The meeting's interdisciplinary approach
    to preventing birth defects and infant mortality brings together
    23 presenters and more than 300 attendees from all across America
    who are dedicated to improving the health of the nation's infants
    and children.  They will discuss hot topics in genetics,
    obstetrics and neonatology, including vitally important newborn
    screenings to detect birth defects and something that California's
    parents-to-be need to know about:  a new pilot program of the
    Department of Health Services that adds up to 30 new tests to the
    birth defects already screened for.

WHEN:

    Thursday, January 24 - Saturday, January 26, 2002
    Sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday
    From 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Saturday
    Please request conference brochure for full schedule

WHERE:

    Westin Hotel and Resort
    333 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, Calif.

WHO:

    Speaking about newborn screenings are:
    Dr. Benjamin Wilfond, NIH
    (Friday, Jan. 25, 8:35-9:15 a.m.)
    Dr. Edward McCabe, UCLA's Mattel Children's Hospital
    (Friday, Jan. 25, 2:15-3 p.m.)
    Dr. Neil Finer, University of California, San Diego
    (Saturday, Jan. 26, 1-2 p.m.)

WHY:

    The March of Dimes mission is to improve the health of babies by
    preventing birth defects and infant mortality. A national
    voluntary health agency founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds
    programs of research, community services, education, and
    advocacy to save babies.

R.S.V.P.:

    If you'd like to attend/cover all or part of the Preventing Birth
    Defects conference, please call Anita Roark at 213/637-5058.