Daily Rounds: Full Fetal DNA; CT Cancer Risk; Poor Vaccine Storage; Anxiously Overactive Brains

DNA blueprint for fetus built using tests of parents (The New York Times) - "For the first time, researchers have determined virtually the entire genome of a fetus using only a blood sample from the pregnant woman and a saliva specimen from the father. The accomplishment heralds an era in which parents might find it easier to know the complete DNA blueprint of a child months before it is born."

Child CT scans could raise cancer risk slightly (The Associated Press) - "Children who get several CT scans have a slightly higher chance of brain cancer and leukemia in later life, though the risk is still small and probably outweighed by the need to get the test, researchers reported. The use of CT scans has risen rapidly since they were introduced 30 years ago. For children, they're used to evaluate head, neck or spine injuries or neurological disorders."

Report cites problems in CDC vaccine program (Medpage Today) - "Childhood vaccines administered via a free federal program may be inappropriately stored, which could affect their potency and efficacy, according to government inspectors. A report from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found that vaccines stored at the offices of 76% of a sample of providers involved in the CDC program were exposed to inappropriate temperatures for at least five cumulative hours during a 2-week inspection period."

Anxiety cranks up activity in women's brains, study suggests (MSNBC) - "Women who worry a lot have brains that work overtime even during easy tasks, new research suggests. The findings could help in the identification and treatment of anxiety disorders, according to the Michigan State University scientists who conducted the study."