Carrier screening for cystic fibrosis in a prenatal setting

Delvaux, I.; van Tongerloo, A.; Messiaen, L.; Van Loon, C.; De Bie, S.; Mortier, G.; De Paepe, A.

doi:10.1089/109065701753145574

Publication

Title

Carrier screening for cystic fibrosis in a prenatal setting

Author

Delvaux, I.

van Tongerloo, A.

Messiaen, L.

Van Loon, C.

De Bie, S.

Mortier, G.

De Paepe, A.

Abstract

Maternal prenatal cystic fibrosis (CF) screening was offered from September, 1997, to April, 1999, at the Ghent University Hospital, to couples undergoing prenatal diagnosis (amniocentesis) for reasons not related to CF. Fifteen minutes were devoted to explaining CF, CF screening, and the study protocol. The purpose was to assess the short- and long-term knowledge of CF, the attitude towards carrier screening, and carriership. A total of 314 couples entered the pilot study; 13 female CF carriers were identified. None of their partners carried an identifiable mutation. Our survey results show that information about CF and CF screening can be given effectively as part of antenatal care because most couples recalled important medical and genetic issues, valued the genetic test for CF, and seemed to cope well with the results. Risk estimates and actual numbers were more difficult to process and recall. From the small number of couples in which the woman alone was found to be a carrier, there was little or no evidence of marked distress.

Language

English

Source (journal)

Genetic testing. - New York, N.Y.

Publication

New York, N.Y. : 2001

ISSN

1090-6576

Volume/pages

5 :2 (2001) , p. 117-125

ISI

000170813200007