Parent's attitude toward prenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy could be influenced by other factors rather than by the severity of the condition

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate whether the severity of a particular condition alone influences parents' attitudes toward prenatal diagnosis (PND) and termination of pregnancy (TOP) or are there other factors involved?

Methods: A questionnaire that mainly focuses on parent's attitude toward PND and TOP for 30 different hypothetical scenarios for a series of genetic, non-genetic, and non-medical conditions were completed by 400 Saudi parents. Results were compared and scored and parent comments were noted. Additionally, cross tabulation of thalassemia, considered the most severe and had the most favorable PND and TOP, against the 29 other conditions were carried out to find similarities and different views toward TOP and PND.

Results: We found that parents' attitudes toward PND and TOP for thalassemia are significantly associated with their attitudes in relation to all of the other conditions (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: Saudi Parents' attitudes toward TOP and PND are not always influenced by the severity of the condition.