title: Outcome of chromosomally abnormal pregnancies in Lebanon: obstetricians' roles during and after prenatal diagnosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To better understand obstetrician experiences in Lebanon when disclosing abnormal amniocentesis results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Structured interviews with 38 obstetricians identified as caregivers from the American University of Beirut Medical Center Cytogenetics Laboratory database of patients with abnormal amniocentesis results between 1999 and 2005.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Obstetricians were primarily male, Christian, and with an average of 14 years of experience. They reported doing most pre-amniocentesis counseling, including discussion of risk for common autosomal aneuplodies (95%), and procedure-related risk (95%). Obstetricians reported that 80% of patients at risk for aneuploidy underwent amniocentesis. The study population reported on 143 abnormal test results (124 autosomal abnormalities). When disclosing results, obstetricians reportedly discussed primarily physical and cognitive features of the diagnosis. They varied in levels of directiveness and comfort in providing information. Our records showed that 59% of pregnancies with sex chromosome abnormalities were terminated compared to 90% of those with autosomal aneuploidies; various reasons were proposed by obstetricians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study is among the few to assess prenatal diagnosis practices in the Middle East, with a focus on the role of the obstetrician. Given the influence of culture and social norms on prenatal decision-making, it remains important to understand the various impacts on clinical practice in many nations.
authors: Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling, Northwestern University, Chicago IL, USA.
authors: Lama T
authors: LT
authors: Eldahdah
authors: Kelly E
authors: KE
authors: Ormond
authors: Anwar H
authors: AH
authors: Nassar
authors: Tayma
authors: T
authors: Khalil
authors: Laila F
authors: LF
authors: Zahed
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis / Q000523:psychology; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009774:Obstetrics; D010819:Physician's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*