Premium
ANTENATAL ATTENDANCE AND SCREENING FOR NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS
Author(s) -
Hibbard B. M.,
Roberts C. J.,
Evans K. T.,
Laurence K. M.,
Hoole Greta
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1980.tb04418.x
Subject(s) - attendance , neural tube , referral , gestation , medicine , obstetrics , pregnancy , family medicine , antenatal screening , pediatrics , medical emergency , embryo , genetics , economic growth , economics , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
Summary An analysis of factors influencing the time of booking at seven hospital antenatal clinics in one Health Authority Area showed that only 52.5 per cent of patients booked before 16 weeks gestation and 78.9 per cent before 19 weeks gestation. The principle reasons for late booking were delay in the patient seeking medical advice and delay in referral to hospital the general practitioner (GP) after pregnancy was confirmed. Possibilities for improving early attendance and hence implementing an effective screening programme for the detection of neural tube defects are discussed.