Biomaterial Database

Encouraging patients to undergo prenatal genetic counseling before the day of amniocentesis. Its effect on the use of amniocentesis. 1985

R P Lorenz, and J J Botti, and C M Schmidt, and R L Ladda

The purpose of this study was to determine if encouraging in-depth prenatal genetic counseling before the day of possible genetic amniocentesis affected the use of amniocentesis. Five hundred two patients were referred to our center for prenatal genetic services during a 15-month period. All patients were scheduled for genetic counseling before possible amniocentesis. During the initial three months (group I), patients were routinely scheduled for counseling on the same day of the procedure unless they requested earlier counseling. During the subsequent 12 months (group II), patients were encouraged to undergo counseling before the day of planned amniocentesis, and 48% agreed. When early counseling was encouraged, the use of amniocentesis decreased from 85% (group I) to 73% (group II) (P less than .025). Among patients with advanced maternal age as the only indication for testing (n = 375), utilization of amniocentesis decreased from 93% (group I) to 78% (group II) (P less than .005). A policy of encouraging early prenatal genetic counseling appears to be a significant factor in the use of genetic amniocentesis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D011295	Prenatal Care	Care provided the pregnant woman in order to prevent complications, and decrease the incidence of maternal and prenatal mortality.	Antenatal Care,Care, Antenatal,Care, Prenatal
D011446	Prospective Studies	Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group.	Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D002986	Clinical Trials as Topic	Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries.	Clinical Trial as Topic
D005260	Female		Females
D005817	Genetic Counseling	An educational process that provides information and advice to individuals or families about a genetic condition that may affect them. The purpose is to help individuals make informed decisions about marriage, reproduction, and other health management issues based on information about the genetic disease, the available diagnostic tests, and management programs. Psychosocial support is usually offered.	Counseling, Genetic,Genetic Counseling, Prenatal,Prenatal Genetic Counseling
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000649	Amniocentesis	Percutaneous transabdominal puncture of the uterus during pregnancy to obtain amniotic fluid. It is commonly used for fetal karyotype determination in order to diagnose abnormal fetal conditions.	Amniocenteses
D013997	Time Factors	Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations.	Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor