[Suspected fetal malformation in ultrasound examination: effects on the psychological well-being of pregnant women].
OBJECTIVE
Today's ultrasound technology permits the detection of foetal malformations during pregnancy. This study examined pregnant women's psychological responses to a suspected fetal anomaly and the subsequent course of psychological well-being.


METHODS
86 pregnant women with a suspected fetal malformation were assessed by means of questionnaires three times: before an ultrasound examination at a specialized centre, one to two weeks after the examination, and four weeks after giving birth or after premature termination of the pregnancy. Anxiety (STAI), depression (HADS-D) and feelings towards the child were assessed.


RESULTS
A suspected fetal malformation results in psychological stress with anxiety and depression levels significantly higher than in normal samples. Regardless of either confirmation or rejection of the diagnosis of a malformation, stress decreases significantly after the ultrasound examination at the specialized centre. Only women who decide to terminate the pregnancy prematurely show increasing levels of stress in this period. Four weeks after giving birth or termination of pregnancy the assessed psychological parameters of all participants fall within the normal range.


CONCLUSIONS
A suspected fetal malformation results in immediate psychological stress but not in an enduring psychological disorder. Women facing immediate premature termination of pregnancy exhibited the highest stress levels. The psychosocial distress caused by the diagnosis of a fetal malformation should be taken into consideration in the psychosocial consultation and treatment of concerned women and their partners.
Götzmann
L
L
Abteilung für Psychosoziale Medizin, Universitätsspital Zürich, Schweiz, Germany.
Schönholzer
S M
SM
Kölble
N
N
Klaghofer
R
R
Scheuer
E
E
Zimmermann
R
R
Huch
R
R
Buddeberg
C
C
D000025:Abortion, Eugenic / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009769:Object Attachment; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011247:Pregnancy; D013557:Switzerland; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000523:psychology*