Fatal fetal anomalies
Pregnant people's views and knowledge on prenatal screening for fetal trisomy in the absence of a national screening program
While pregnant women in Ireland have reasonable understanding of the interpretation of non-invasive prenatal tests for fetal aneuploidy, most were unaware of screening options. A national prenatal screening programme, including education on fetal aneuploidy, is needed.
- Authors
Kristin Kelly, Sara Leitao, Sarah Meaney, Keelin O'Donoghue
- Year
- 2023
- Journal Name
- Journal of Genetic Counseling
- Category
- Journal Article
- Keywords
- Fetal anomaly, Prenatal screening
- Full Citation
Kelly K, Leitao S, Meaney S, O’Donoghue K. Pregnant people's views and knowledge on prenatal screening for fetal trisomy in the absence of a national screening program. Journal of Genetic Counseling. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1002/jgc4.1769.
- Link to Publication
- https://doi.org/10.1002/jgc4.1769
Abstract
Non-invasive prenatal tests (NIPT) are available to screen for the risk of the fetus being affected by a major chromosomal syndrome or trisomy. However, there is no national prenatal screening programme in the Republic of Ireland. We surveyed women attending antenatal clinics at a large hospital in Ireland to seek their opinions on availability, cost, and knowledge of NIPT for the common fetal trisomies. Among those who participated, 62% (200/321) understood the scope of prenatal screening tests, with 77% (251/326) and 76% (245/323) correctly interpreting low- and high-risk test results, respectively. Only 26% (83/319) of participants had heard of NIPT; a higher proportion of these people were ≥40 years old, had post-graduate education, or attended private clinics. Over 91% (303/331) of participants said every pregnant person should be offered prenatal screening tests and 88% (263/299) believed these should be free. While pregnant Irish individuals have reasonable understanding of screening test interpretation, most were unaware of screening options. Participants' views on availability and associated cost of tests show the need for a national prenatal screening programme.