Document Detail


Genetic counseling for fetal abnormalities in a South African community.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20135211     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Fetal abnormalities are congenital abnormalities identified prenatally. Women who have a fetal abnormality detected often have to make difficult decisions regarding continuation or termination of the pregnancy. The aims of this research project were: to investigate some of the factors that influenced the decision to terminate a pregnancy in which fetal abnormalities were diagnosed; and to determine the implications for genetic counseling practice in South Africa. The study was retrospective and file-based. A total of 171 women counseled for fetal abnormalities, between 2002 and 2006, were identified and relevant data were collected from their records. Altogether 116/170 (68.2%) women were offered termination of pregnancy, and 73/113 (65%) requested the procedure. Early gestation, gestation at the time termination was offered, and ethnicity of the patient, were significantly associated with a termination request. Black patients were less likely to request termination, but more likely to receive a late diagnosis than other patients. Genetic counselors need to adopt an advocacy and educational role to improve this situation. Furthermore, a better understanding of the cultural and ethnicity-related issues is required.
Authors:
Caryn Todd; Tabitha Haw; Jennifer Kromberg; Arnold Christianson
Publication Detail:
Type:  Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2010-02-05
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of genetic counseling     Volume:  19     ISSN:  1573-3599     ISO Abbreviation:  J Genet Couns     Publication Date:  2010 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-05-24     Completed Date:  2010-09-02     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9206865     Medline TA:  J Genet Couns     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  247-54     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Human Genetics Division, University of the Witwatersrand and National Health Laboratory Service, PO Box 1038, Johannesburg, South Africa.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Abortion, Eugenic / psychology
Adolescent
Adult
African Continental Ancestry Group / genetics,  psychology*
Congenital Abnormalities / diagnosis,  genetics*
Cross-Cultural Comparison*
Decision Making
European Continental Ancestry Group / genetics,  psychology*
Female
Genetic Counseling / psychology*
Gestational Age
Humans
Middle Aged
Pregnancy
Retrospective Studies
South Africa
Young Adult

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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