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Objective: Atrioventricular septal defect is associated with a high risk of a chromosomal abnormality, particularly trisomy 21. The aim of this study is to assess the rate of trisomy 21 in fetuses diagnosed with an atrioventricular septal defect and to examine the influence of prior screening on the rate of trisomy 21.Methods: Electronic ultrasound database was searched to identify fetuses diagnoses with an atrioventricular septal defect from 2002 to 2014. Rate of trisomy 21 and other aneuploidies was calculated among fetuses with normal situs. The prevalence of trisomy 21 and other aneuploidies was assessed in women with low and high first trimester risk for trisomy 21, using a cut-off value of 1:150 and 1:250.Results: A total 110 fetuses with a diagnosis of atrioventricular septal defect were identified. Among the 98 fetuses with normal situs, the prevalence of trisomy 21 was 46% (95% CI: 36-56%). Using a 1:150 threshold, the rate of trisomy 21 within the low-risk group was 41% (95% CI: 27-57%) while in the high-risk group it was 70% (95% CI: 52-83%), significantly higher than in the low risk group (p=0.028). Similar results were obtained when the 1:250 threshold was applied (66% versus 41%, p=0.055).Conclusions: The rate of trisomy 21 among fetuses identified with an atrioventricular septal defect in the second trimester is high even in those that undergo first trimester combined screening. Some fetuses with a high-risk screening result show a normal karyotype. Therefore, an offer of an invasive procedure to check fetal karyotyping is indicated. Knowledge of these rates may be helpful for parents in the decision making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the impact of the introduction of a Down syndrome screening policy in England, including implementation of the first-trimester combined screening test, on reducing prenatal invasive diagnostic procedure rates. Methods All English cytogenetic laboratories were asked to submit data from the fiscal years 2003/2004 until 2011/2012 on all samples received from prenatal invasive procedures, including those that were undertaken following a higher-risk Down syndrome screening result. Results There was a gradual decline in the number of invasive procedures undertaken subsequent to a positive Down syndrome screening result in England, from 36?968 in 2003/2004 to 11?446 in 2008/2009, with only a relatively small subsequent decrease, to 10?215, in 2011/2012. This corresponds to a 72% reduction in the number of referrals received by the cytogenetic laboratories over a 9-year period and correlates with the national policy of implementing the combined screening test in place of second-trimester screening, which has reduced the overall screen-positive rate to 3.1% from an initial level of 6.0%. Conclusions Implementation of a national Down syndrome screening policy based on the combined screening test has significantly reduced the number of invasive tests performed. However, as the combined screening test has become the replacement for second-trimester testing and has been almost completely implemented it appears that improvements in screening using current approaches may have reached their limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between attitudinal ambivalence towards Down’s syndrome (DS) and prenatal testing and termination intentions. Intentions towards using a screening test, a diagnostic test and termination of pregnancy for DS were collected from 140 pregnant women along with their attitudes and attitudinal ambivalence towards the condition. Women who were unsure about diagnostic testing and termination were more likely to hold ambivalent attitudes towards DS than were women who gave a definite yes or no response. In particular, a higher level of ambivalence about how a child with DS might impact on parental quality of life was significantly associated with an uncertain attitude towards termination of pregnancy. Qualitative data suggested that ambivalence towards DS was associated with a desire to make diagnostic testing and termination decisions with a significant other. The findings from this study inform debate on the link between ambivalence and informed choice and have implications for supporting prenatal testing decisions in women who hold ambivalent attitudes towards parenting a child with DS. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]