A cross‐country comparison of pregnant women's decision‐making and perspectives when opting for non‐invasive prenatal testing in the Netherlands and Belgium

Abstract Background The Netherlands and Belgium have been among the first countries to offer non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) as a first‐tier screening test. Despite similarities, differences exist in counseling modalities and test uptake. This study explored decision‐making and perspectives of pregnant women who opted for NIPT in both countries. Methods A questionnaire study was performed among pregnant women in the Netherlands (NL) ( n = 587) and Belgium (BE) ( n = 444) opting for NIPT, including measures on informed choice, personal and societal perspectives on trisomy 21, 18 and 13 and... Mehr ...

Verfasser: Lannoo, Lore
van der Meij, Karuna R. M.
Bekker, Mireille N.
De Catte, Luc
Deckers, Sarah
Devriendt, Koenraad
Roggen, Nele
Galjaard, Robert‐Jan H.
Gitsels‐van der Wal, Janneke
Macville, Merryn V. E.
Martin, Linda
Sistermans, Erik A.
Van Calsteren, Kristel
Van Keirsbilck, Joachim
Crombag, Neeltje
Henneman, Lidewij
Dokumenttyp: Artikel
Erscheinungsdatum: 2023
Reihe/Periodikum: Prenatal Diagnosis ; volume 43, issue 3, page 294-303 ; ISSN 0197-3851 1097-0223
Verlag/Hrsg.: Wiley
Schlagwörter: Genetics (clinical) / Obstetrics and Gynecology
Sprache: Englisch
Permalink: https://search.fid-benelux.de/Record/base-26606972
Datenquelle: BASE; Originalkatalog
Powered By: BASE
Link(s) : http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pd.6329

Abstract Background The Netherlands and Belgium have been among the first countries to offer non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) as a first‐tier screening test. Despite similarities, differences exist in counseling modalities and test uptake. This study explored decision‐making and perspectives of pregnant women who opted for NIPT in both countries. Methods A questionnaire study was performed among pregnant women in the Netherlands (NL) ( n = 587) and Belgium (BE) ( n = 444) opting for NIPT, including measures on informed choice, personal and societal perspectives on trisomy 21, 18 and 13 and pregnancy termination. Results Differences between Dutch and Belgian women were shown in the level of informed choice (NL: 83% vs. BE: 59%, p < 0.001), intention to terminate the pregnancy in case of confirmed trisomy 21 (NL: 51% vs. BE: 62%, p = 0.003) and trisomy 13/18 (NL: 80% vs. BE: 73%, p = 0.020). More Belgian women considered trisomy 21 a severe condition (NL: 64% vs. BE: 81%, p < 0.001). Belgian women more frequently indicated that they believed parents are judged for having a child with trisomy 21 (BE: 42% vs. NL: 16%, p < 0.001) and were less positive about quality of care and support for children with trisomy 21 (BE: 23% vs. NL: 62%, p < 0.001). Conclusion Differences in women's decision‐making regarding NIPT and the conditions screened for may be influenced by counseling aspects and country‐specific societal and cultural contexts.