| Ultrasound screening in pregnancy: advancing technology, soft markers for fetal chromosomal aberrations, and unacknowledged ethical dilemmas. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 12697196 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Fetal ultrasound screening has become routine practice in many western countries. During the last decade, such screening has led to frequent situations characterised by clinical uncertainty due to the disclosure of soft markers in the unborn child. Soft markers are minor anatomical variations indicating a somewhat increased likelihood that the fetus has a chromosomal aberration, most frequently trisomy 21 (Down syndrome). This paper presents the results of a comprehensive literature search of the National Library of Medicine with emphasis on the chronological development of scientific knowledge in relation to soft markers and the link between advancing imaging technology and clinical counselling dilemmas. An analysis of the literature makes evident that many ultrasound examiners have counselled individual pregnant women on the basis of insufficient data. Moral dilemmas have thus emerged as a direct result of advancing medical technology, and healthy fetal lives prove to have been lost due to invasive diagnostic testing aimed at resolving clinical uncertainty. Ultrasound examiners have warned against a policy of disclosing all findings of soft markers to expectant parents, but no exploration of experiential aspects linked to the disclosure of fetal soft markers has yet been published in the medical literature. The emotional reactions of mothers are important to consider given their potential impact on the biological development of the fetus. In conclusion, this paper stresses the need for paying close attention to the crucial distinction between technology development and technology implementation in relation to prenatal testing. Furthermore, it provides strong arguments for scrutinising the interface between prenatal testing and human experience. |
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Authors:
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Linn Getz; Anne Luise Kirkengen |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Social science & medicine (1982) Volume: 56 ISSN: 0277-9536 ISO Abbreviation: Soc Sci Med Publication Date: 2003 May |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2003-04-16 Completed Date: 2003-06-03 Revised Date: 2006-11-15 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8303205 Medline TA: Soc Sci Med Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 2045-57 Citation Subset: E; IM |
Affiliation:
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Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. linngetz@landspitali.is <linngetz@landspitali.is> |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Biological Markers Chromosome Disorders / diagnosis, ultrasonography* Diagnostic Tests, Routine / ethics*, psychology Ethics False Positive Reactions Female Fetal Diseases / diagnosis, ultrasonography* Genetic Counseling / ethics*, psychology Humans Pregnancy Pregnancy Trimester, First Pregnancy Trimester, Second Pregnant Women / psychology Truth Disclosure Ultrasonography, Prenatal / ethics*, psychology Uncertainty |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Biological Markers |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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