title: Providing information about prenatal screening for Down syndrome: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In recent decades there have been advances in the options for prenatal screening. Screening programmes for Down syndrome are well established in many countries. It is important that pregnant women are well informed about the benefits and risks of screening. A variety of interventions has been introduced to support pregnant women in their choice of prenatal screening.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To summarize the literature using randomized controlled trials to compare the effects of different interventions to provide pregnant women with the information necessary to make an informed choice about screening for Down syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic search was performed using the PUBMED and EMBASE databases. The search terms included MeSH terms and free text and were combined by Boolean terms (AND, OR) with no restriction on language or time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Knowledge, informed choice, patient satisfaction, anxiety, depression, conflict and worries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve studies were included in the review. All were characterised by having one or more interventions designed to improve the level of information about prenatal screening for Down syndrome. A positive effect on knowledge and satisfaction from the information received was found in the majority of the studies. The studies were heterogeneous with respect to interventions, methodology and outcome measurements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interventions aimed at providing pregnant women with specific information about prenatal screening for Down syndrome can improve their ability to make an informed choice.
authors.affiliation: Research Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: Mette M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Skjøth
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Draborg
authors.forename: Claus D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Helle P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Ronald F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Lamont
authors.forename: Jan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
mesh_terms: D057189:Checklist; D003376:Counseling; D003657:Decision Making; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Down syndrome; Informed choice; pregnancy; prenatal diagnosis; systematic review