Abstract

KOPUCHIAN, Noelia et al. Combined Screening for the Detection of Aneuploidies in the First Trimester of Pregnancy in a Public Maternity. Rev. argent. salud pública [online]. 2018, vol.9, n.35, pp.7-11. ISSN 1852-8724.

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.

Keywords : Screening; Public Health; Aneuploidy; Maternal and Child Health.

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