Premium
Attitudes toward maternal serum screening in Chinese women with positive results
Author(s) -
Jan SheauWen,
Chen ChihPing,
Huang LianHua,
Huang FuYuan,
Lan ChungChi
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of genetic counseling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.867
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1573-3599
pISSN - 1059-7700
DOI - 10.1007/bf01408371
Subject(s) - medicine , amniocentesis , genetic counseling , obstetrics , family medicine , pregnancy , prenatal diagnosis , gynecology , fetus , genetics , biology
Maternal serum screening for fetal Down syndrome has been integrated into routine antenatal care in most clinics in Taiwan. We examined the attitudes toward serum screening and the possible implications in women with positive results. From January to July 1995, 276 women were referred to the Genetic Counseling Clinic, Mackay Memorial Hospital for amniocentesis because of positive screening results, and 214 participated in this study. All women opted for amniocentesis after genetic counseling. Over 40% stated that they made decisions independently after being informed of the serum screening. Need for certainty was the most frequently mentioned reason. Two‐thirds believed that serum screening could provide a diagnosis. Almost all women would apply for maternal serum screening for future pregnancies. This study demonstrated that Chinese women need more counseling and autonomy regarding maternal serum screening.