NIPT‐based screening for Down syndrome and beyond: what do pregnant women think?. (30th March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van Schendel, Rachèl V.; Dondorp, Wybo J.; Timmermans, Danielle R. M.; van Hugte, Eline J. H.; de Boer, Anne; Pajkrt, Eva; Lachmeijer, Augusta M. A.; Henneman, Lidewij
• Is Part Of: Prenatal diagnosis. Volume 35:Number 6(2015:Jun.)
• Page Start: 598
• Page End: 604
• Publication Date: 2015-03-30
• Subjects: Prenatal diagnosis -- Periodicals; Fetus -- Diseases -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618.32075
• DOI: 10.1002/pd.4579
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0197-3851

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="pd4579-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="pd4579-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p id="pd4579-para-0001">The aim of the study is to study pregnant women's views on noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for Down syndrome and the potential to test for a broader range of conditions.</p> </sec> <sec id="pd4579-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p id="pd4579-para-0002">An online questionnaire available on the Dutch pregnancy fair website was completed by 381 pregnant women.</p> </sec> <sec id="pd4579-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p id="pd4579-para-0003">Of the women, 51% expressed interest in having NIPT, including 33% of women who had declined first‐trimester screening. The majority (73%) thought that the uptake of screening would increase with NIPT. Most women agreed that testing for life‐threatening (89%), severe physical (79%), or severe mental (76%) disorders should be offered. A minority (29%) felt that prenatal screening should also be offered for late‐onset disorders. Most (41%) preferred to have a free choice from a list of disorders, 31% preferred a 'closed offer', and 26% preferred choosing between packages of disorders. Although most women (76%) thought that screening for a broad range of conditions would avoid much suffering, 39% feared that it would confront couples with choices, the implications of which would be difficult to grasp.</p> </sec> <sec id="pd4579-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p id="pd4579-para-0004">The results suggest that the uptake of screening will increase with NIPT. If NIPT will be offered for a broad range of conditions, it is crucial to find a way that facilitates rather than undermines well‐informed decision‐making. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</p> </sec> </abstract>