Women’s Attitudes Toward Invasive and Noninvasive Testing When Facing a High Risk of Fetal Down Syndrome

Key Points Question What are the attitudes and decision making concerning invasive and noninvasive prenatal testing in women at high risk of fetal Down syndrome? Findings In a survey study of 2436 pregnant women in France participating in a randomized clinical trial, 4 clusters were identified with different attitudes toward risk taking and extent of information seeking. Decision making was in line with attitudes, and clinical and socioeconomic factors were likely associated with the attitudes identified. Meaning Aversion to ambiguity generated by incomplete information from noninvasive testing as well as aversion to risk of pregnancy loss due to invasive testing played a major role in shaping attitudes and decision making; therefore, pregnant women should receive extensive information on targeted abnormalities by both tests to aid informed decision making.