[Prenatal diagnosis: an attempt at evaluation of effectiveness and risk based on the experience of one center]

Neurol Neurochir Pol. 1999 May-Jun;33(3):541-9.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

We present the results of prenatal diagnosis in 2241 women carried out in one centre in the period 1985-1994. Indications were cytogenetic in 84% of the cases, of those in 77% it was maternal age 35 years and over. The second most frequent indication was open neural tube defect in a previously born child (7.5%). Abnormal results of prenatal tests in whole material were obtained in 60 cases (2.4%); in 47 cases this was chromosomal aberration. Abnormal result of prenatal test did not necessarily mean selective termination of pregnancy. In 17.5% of chromosomal fetal aberrations pregnancy was continued (it concerned mostly aberrations involving sex chromosomes). The risk of prenatal diagnosis (miscarriage due to the procedure) according to our estimation was between 0.3 and 0.6% of the tested pregnancies. Sociological analysis of the tested group showed clearly that women with better education (secondary and higher level) in Poland have much better access to prenatal diagnosis. Most of the tested woman (72%) considered a prenatal test a sine qua non condition of their procreation.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Fetal Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Fetal Diseases / genetics
  • Genetic Testing
  • Humans
  • Poland
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Diagnosis*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Women's Health Services / standards*