Abstract

Abstract Background. Tay‐Sachs disease has been reported to be more prevalent in the Cajun population of Louisiana. Methods. Questionnaires were mailed to 744 obstetricians; 151 responded. Results. Of the 151 responding physicians, 95 (63%) reported that they do not routinely screen their prenatal patients for Tay‐Sachs disease. Of the 52 responding obstetricians in New Orleans, 29 (58%) offer screening; 8 of 23 obstetricians (32%) in Acadiana (southwest Louisiana) and 19 of 72 (27%) of the remaining Louisiana obstetricians routinely screen their patients. Of 46 obstetricians in practice less than 10 years, 22 (48%) offer screening; of 105 in practice longer, 35 (33%) offer screening. Of 100 obstetricians trained in Louisiana, 32 (32%) offer screening, compared with 25 of 51 (49%) of those trained elsewhere. Conclusions. Most practicing obstetricians in Louisiana are not routinely offering Tay‐Sachs screening to their prenatal patients. Screening may depend on location of practice, duration of practice, and place of training.