Combined Screening for the Detection of Aneuploidies in the First Trimester of Pregnancy in a Public Maternity

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The Combined First-Trimester Screening is the best way to select those cases in which the unborn child has a significantly increased risk of certain aneuploidies. However, in a country where the abortion is illegal, the impact of this study on women attending public hospitals is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the previous information and the understanding of the informed consent for performing the first-trimester screening in the population attending a public hospital. METHODS: An exploratory, observational, cross-sectional, quantitative research was conducted, with women under 14 weeks pregnant controlling pregnancy in a public hospital. The survey was designed through focus groups. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 148 cases. In 99.3% of the cases, pregnant women identified the advantages of undergoing this test; 51.7% admitted that they did not know the applicable law, that prevents ending a pregnancy if the fetus has a disease known to be compatible with life after birth; and 55.4% proved they understood the difference between the probabilistic nature of the test and the diagnosis of a genetic disease. CONCLUSIONS: The first-trimester screening was well accepted, and their advantages widely recognized by pregnant women. However, although the information proved to be sufficient, it was not entirely suitable for the whole population.