Prenatal screening for chromosome abnormalities in a region with no access to termination of pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the different variables that affect couples' decision-making about prenatal screening of chromosome abnormalities in a population with limited access to prenatal diagnosis and no legal termination of pregnancy (TOP).


METHODS
From February through August 2004, 79 couples who requested for prenatal screening at centers from Argentina and Uruguay participated in a study. A cross-sectional survey was administered to assess attitudes toward prenatal screening, the decision-making process, and knowledge and attitudes toward TOP.


RESULTS
Mean maternal age was 32.8 +/- 0.4 years. Among the couples, 88.61% knew that TOP due to fetal anomalies is not legal in their countries. When asked about the possibility of TOP in case of a serious fetal anomaly, 53% would contemplate this option.


CONCLUSIONS
Prenatal screening is a common practice worldwide. However, unlike most developed countries, our region has a limited access to prenatal diagnosis and no legal TOP. Those couples who stated that 'reassurance about fetal well-being' was the most important reason to perform prenatal screening had more positive attitudes toward TOP than those who considered this screening important 'to be better prepared to receive the baby'. Our findings can be used to inform and revise current health-care policies.
Paolini
Cynthia I
CI
Department of Psychiatry, Center for Medical Education and Clinical Research CEMIC. University Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Gadow
Andrea
A
Petracchi
Florencia
F
Igarzabal
Laura
L
Quadrelli
Roberto
R
Gadow
Enrique C
EC
D000025:Abortion, Eugenic / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D025063:Chromosome Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012923:Social Class