Fetal sex determination: obstetricians' attitudes in antenatal screening units in Finland.
OBJECTIVE
To study obstetricians' attitudes in Finnish antenatal screening units concerning fetal sex determination without medical indication.


METHODS
A structured questionnaire to all delivery units (n = 37) and the main outpatient screening units (n = 18) in the country.


RESULTS
The majority of units made fetal sex determination without medical indication at patient's request during the second-trimester ultrasonographic screening. This examination was seen to have consequences for maternal-fetal attachment, but it was also considered medically useless and sometimes harmful. Only three out of the responding 32 units maintained quality control of the examination. A false diagnosis resulted extremely seldom in any litigation process.


CONCLUSIONS
More precise guidelines are needed for fetal sex determination in healthcare organisation.
Jylhä
Marika E
ME
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
Kirkinen
Pertti P
PP
Puura
Kaija L
KL
Tomas
Eija I
EI
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D033261:Maternal-Fetal Relations; D009774:Obstetrics; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D012732:Sex Determination Analysis; D012743:Sex Preselection; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000523:psychology; D000078329:Workforce