SCREENING FOR FETAL AND GENETIC ABNORMALITY

Screening for fetal and genetic abnormality: social and ethical issues.

In answer to questions raised by practitioners, an ethics of genetic screening is located in a tension between liberty and responsibility in three respects: (1) to nature and biological processes; (2) to the disposal of human life; and (3) to the relation of persons to society. Under (1), the obligation to pursue research, fundamental as well as applied, is affirmed, offering the benefit of eco...

Maternal serum screening for fetal genetic disorders.

Maternal serum analyte screening is an integral component of contemporary antenatal care. Based on elevated MSAFP levels, 85% to 90% of NTDs (e.g., anencephaly or spina bifida) can be detected. Using a combination of serum analytes (e.g., MSAFP, hCG, UE3) 55% to 60% of fetal Down's syndrome can be detected. Future strategies for Down's syndrome screening may include the use of new markers such ...

Fetal Abnormality Survey

From 1 January 1985 to 31 December 1990, the Northern Region Fetal Abnormality Survey received 736 notifications of fetuses with suspected urological abnormalities; a prevalence of three per 1000 births. There was a male:female ratio of 2:1, the ratio was higher in obstructive than in intrinsic renal parenchymal lesions. Overall diagnostic sensitivity was 68-9% and positive predictive value 50....

Antenatal Screening and Abortion for Fetal Abnormality: Medical and Ethical Issues

Early Detection of Fetal Abnormality

After introduction of high-frequency vaginal transducer, transvaginal two-dimensional ultrasound has established a field of sonoembryology and most of the major fetal abnormalities have been detectable in the first trimester. Three-dimensional ultrasound adds an objective and comprehensive information to two-dimensional sonographic findings.