Review article
INFORMED CHOICE IN PRENATAL BIOCHEMICAL SCREENING FOR DOWN SYNDROME
Aleksandra Frković
Sanja Katalinić
Abstract
During the last ten years a new bioethical term has been introduced – informed choice. Informed choice is based on relevant knowledge, attitude and uptake of person. There is a consensus that screening tests should be performed under informed choice. Informed choice is of special interest in prenatal biochemical screening test for Down syndrome. During first prenatal medical exam, pregnant women have to know all about the condition for which testing in offered, characteristics, and the implication of the test. Regardless the fact that informed choice for screening tests is based on relevant knowledge, pregnant women need to be well informed. It is non-ethical to let a pregnant woman uninformed, because in a case of positive screening test further invasive diagnostic procedures (amniocenthesis, cordocenthesis, pla-centocenthesis, chorionic villus sampling) are following for confirmation of fetal abnormality, Down syndrome. Conducting of these procedures is possible only after additional and complete advise of pregnant women, with her written consent.
Keywords
informed choice; prenatal biochemical screening; Down’s syndrome
Hrčak ID:
9591
URI
Publication date:
31.3.2005.
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