Reproductive decisions after neonatal screening identifies cystic fibrosis

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Abstract
AIMS To document the reproductive choices made by women in New South Wales, Australia, after neonatal screening has identified cystic fibrosis (CF). METHODS A sample of women attending cystic fibrosis clinics in New South Wales who had a child (or children) diagnosed by neonatal screening between 1981 and 1996 were interviewed. RESULTS Two thirds of the women chose to avoid having another child with CF. The uptake of prenatal diagnosis was 66% in women who had a subsequent pregnancy; of these 69% terminated or would have terminated an affected fetus. Fifty nine per cent of the women who decided against a further pregnancy made this decision in order to avoid having another child with CF. CONCLUSIONS These data show that having a child with CF influenced subsequent reproductive choices. In addition to the medical advantages of an early diagnosis offered by neonatal screening, this also allows informed future reproductive decisions.