title: Antenatal screening for aneuploidy--surveying the current situation and planning for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis in New Zealand.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To gauge clinical opinion about the current system and possible changes as well as providing a forum for education about Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT).
  
  
  METHODS
  A series of workshops for doctors and midwives, supported by the National Screening Unit of the Ministry of Health and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, were held in the main centres of New Zealand. Following a brief education session, a structured evaluation of current screening and future possibilities was undertaken by questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and eight maternity carers participated in 5 workshops. Over 40% identified barriers to current screening. More than 60% would support NIPT in the first trimester. The majority of carers provided their own counselling support for women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The survey has shown general enthusiasm for the introduction of publically funded NIPT into prenatal screening in New Zealand. Barriers to utilisation of the current system have been identified and enhancements to screening performance with guidelines around conditions to be screened for would be supported.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eastwood
authors.forename: Dianne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Webster
authors.forename: Juliet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mckay
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McEwen
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pope-Couston
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Auckland, Auckland. p.stone@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stone
mesh_terms: D000782:Aneuploidy; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D025063:Chromosome Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D062145:Maternal Serum Screening Tests; D009520:New Zealand; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000097:blood; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers