title: Acceptance of preimplantation genetic diagnosis for beta-thalassemia in Lebanese women with previously affected children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to assess the rate of acceptance of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) as an alternative to prenatal diagnosis in Lebanese women with previously affected children with homozygous beta-thalassemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women with a previously affected child attending a non governmentally funded thalassemia care center between 1 June 2005 and 31 May 2007 were offered a genetic counseling session. This was followed by administering a questionnaire through direct interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 97 women approached accepted to participate in the study (100% response rate). Sixty eight per cent of women considered PGD a better alternative to prenatal diagnosis. The most important perceived advantage of PGD was the avoidance of termination of an affected pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PGD is an acceptable alternative to conventional prenatal diagnosis in women at risk of conceiving a child affected with beta-thalassemia. This is particularly true in countries of the Middle-East where therapeutic abortions for fetal indications are prohibited by the law and religion.
authors.affiliation: Genetics Laboratories, Chronic Care Center, Hazmieh, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Farra
authors.forename: Anwar H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Nassar
authors.forename: Ihab M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Usta
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Salameh
authors.forename: Mirna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Souaid
authors.forename: Johnny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Awwad
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon; D011247:Pregnancy; D019836:Preimplantation Diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000175:diagnosis*