Abstract | OBJECTIVE: 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. METHODS: An online questionnaire available on the Dutch pregnancy fair website was completed by 381 pregnant women. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.
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Authors | Rachèl V van Schendel, Wybo J Dondorp, Danielle R M Timmermans, Eline J H van Hugte, Anne de Boer, Eva Pajkrt, Augusta M A Lachmeijer, Lidewij Henneman |
Journal | Prenatal diagnosis
(Prenat Diagn)
Vol. 35
Issue 6
Pg. 598-604
(Jun 2015)
ISSN: 1097-0223 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 25693726
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adult
- Attitude to Health
- DNA
(blood)
- Down Syndrome
(diagnosis)
- Female
- Humans
- Netherlands
- Pregnancy
- Pregnant Women
(psychology)
- Prenatal Diagnosis
(psychology)
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Young Adult
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