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Informing on prenatal screening for Down syndrome prior to conception. An empirical and ethical perspective
Author(s) -
Schoonen Marleen,
van der Zee Boukje,
Wildschut Hajo,
de Beaufort Inez,
de Wert Guido,
de Koning Harry,
EssinkBot MarieLouise,
Steegers Eric
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
american journal of medical genetics part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.064
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1552-4833
pISSN - 1552-4825
DOI - 10.1002/ajmg.a.35213
Subject(s) - prenatal screening , directive , pregnancy , medicine , informed consent , prenatal care , perspective (graphical) , down syndrome , preference , family medicine , prenatal diagnosis , psychology , alternative medicine , computer science , psychiatry , environmental health , population , fetus , genetics , pathology , artificial intelligence , microeconomics , economics , biology , programming language
In most Western countries, information on prenatal screening for Down syndrome is provided in the first‐trimester of pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to examine whether this information should additionally be provided before pregnancy to improve the informed decision‐making process. In an empirical study, we obtained data from pregnant women with respect to their preferences regarding information on prenatal screening preconceptionally. Questionnaire data (n = 510) showed that 55.7% of responding women considered participating in prenatal screening for Down syndrome before pregnancy. 28.0% of women possessed information on prenatal screening preconceptionally. 84.6% preferred not to receive information preconceptionally in retrospect. In an ethical analysis, we elaborated on these preferences by weighing pros and cons. We considered two arguments against the provision of information on prenatal screening preconceptionally: women's preference to receive information in a step‐by‐step manner, and the risk of providing a directive message. We identified three reasons supporting its provision preconceptionally: the likelihood of making an informed decision could, firstly, be increased by “unchaining” the initial information from possible subsequent decisions, and, secondly, by providing women sufficient time to deliberate. Thirdly, the probability of equal access to prenatal screening may increase. To conclude with, we propose to incorporate an information offer on prenatal screening for Down syndrome in preconception care consultations. By offering information, instead of providing information, prospective parents are enabled to either accept or decline the information, which respects both their right to know and their right not‐to‐know. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.