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Abayneh M, Rent S, Ubuane PO, Carter BS, Deribessa SJ, Kassa BB, Tekleab AM, Kukora SK. Perinatal palliative care in sub-Saharan Africa: recommendations for practice, future research, and guideline development. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1217209. [PMID: 37435165 PMCID: PMC10331424 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1217209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, sub-Saharan Africa has the highest burden of global neonatal mortality (43%) and neonatal mortality rate (NMR): 27 deaths per 1,000 live births. The WHO recognizes palliative care (PC) as an integral, yet underutilized, component of perinatal care for pregnancies at risk of stillbirth or early neonatal death, and for neonates with severe prematurity, birth trauma or congenital anomalies. Despite bearing a disproportionate burden of neonatal mortality, many strategies to care for dying newborns and support their families employed in high-income countries (HICs) are not available in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). Many institutions and professional societies in LMICs lack guidelines or recommendations to standardize care, and existing guidelines may have limited adherence due to lack of space, equipment, supplies, trained professionals, and high patient load. In this narrative review, we compare perinatal/neonatal PC in HICs and LMICs in sub-Saharan Africa to identify key areas for future, research-informed, interventions that might be tailored to the local sociocultural contexts and propose actionable recommendations for these resource-deprived environments that may support clinical care and inform future professional guideline development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahlet Abayneh
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, St Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Sharla Rent
- Duke Department of Pediatrics, Duke School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Peter Odion Ubuane
- Department of Pediatrics, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Brian S. Carter
- Division of Neonatology and Bioethics Center, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, United States
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Medical Humanities and Bioethics, Universityof Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Solomie Jebessa Deribessa
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, St Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Betelehem B. Kassa
- College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Atnafu Mekonnen Tekleab
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, St Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Stephanie K. Kukora
- Division of Neonatology and Bioethics Center, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, United States
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Medical Humanities and Bioethics, Universityof Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, United States
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Cottino L, Sahibdeen V, Mudau M, Lekgate N, Krause A. QF-PCR: a valuable first-line prenatal and postnatal test for common aneuploidies in South Africa. J Community Genet 2022; 13:355-363. [PMID: 35292940 DOI: 10.1007/s12687-022-00587-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantitative fluorescence-polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) is useful for the detection of aneuploidies involving chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y. Due to the rapid turn-around time and reduced cost compared to traditional karyotyping, QF-PCR has been used as an alternative test for both pre- and postnatal aneuploidy detection in Johannesburg, South Africa since 2001. An internal review of 13,396 aneuploidy tests processed using QF-PCR between January 2015 and December 2019 was performed, and the results showed that the majority (~ 88%) of cases were postnatal tests, with prenatal samples accounting for only ~ 12% of cases. The most common aneuploidies detected were Trisomy 21 (20.6%), Trisomy 18 (3.7%) and Trisomy 13 (2.4%), while sex chromosome aneuploidies were only detected in < 1% of cases. The average percentage of positive cases over the 5-year period was 32.1% for postnatal samples and 11.3% for prenatal samples. QF-PCR testing of the common aneuploidies is being used appropriately, and the high percentage of positive cases demonstrates the value of QF-PCR as prenatal and postnatal tests, particularly in limited resource settings. The higher proportion of positive postnatal cases suggests that referrals are clinically appropriate. However, there is under- and uneven utilization of genetic services in many provinces in South Africa, and the state of prenatal genetic services is poor, as reflected by the low number of prenatal referrals. These results demonstrate the need for programs which will improve the genetic knowledge of referring doctors and the general public, thereby improving the broader utilisation of QF-PCR aneuploidy diagnostic testing, so that patients receive appropriate diagnoses and subsequent management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Cottino
- Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service, and School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Venesa Sahibdeen
- Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service, and School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Lancet Laboratories, Richmond, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Maria Mudau
- Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service, and School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Nakedi Lekgate
- Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service, and School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Amanda Krause
- Division of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service, and School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
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Valentin C, Smidt A, Barton R, Wilson NJ, How B. Mothers of a child with Down syndrome: A qualitative analysis of the perspectives on non-invasive prenatal testing. Midwifery 2019; 76:118-124. [PMID: 31202107 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The introduction of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for Down syndrome (DS) has sparked social and ethical debates. To date, in-depth exploration of the voices of Australian mothers of a child with DS about NIPT has been lacking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perspectives of Australian mothers of a child with DS towards the increasing availability of NIPT. DESIGN AND SETTING Fifteen mothers of children with DS aged 8 months-39 years participated in-depth interviews, conducted online via the software Zoom™. An inductive thematic analysis of interview data explored mothers' perceptions of NIPT. FINDINGS Mothers perspectives were nuanced and personal to each woman's circumstance. All mothers highlighted the inevitable association between testing and termination, the importance of autonomy and respecting [m]others' choices to test and to terminate, and that appropriate supports must be provided to ensure informed decision-making. These perspectives existed within an overarching theme of NIPT reflecting and reinforcing societal attitudes towards disability. CONCLUSION Mothers of a child with DS viewed informed decision-making as crucial both prior to undertaking NIPT and following a positive test result. This study adds a unique Australian perspective to the necessary ongoing social and ethical debate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea Valentin
- Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Andy Smidt
- Speech Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Cumberland C42, PO Box 170, Sydney, New South Wales 1825, Australia.
| | - Rebecca Barton
- Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Nathan J Wilson
- School of Nursing and Midwifery Western Sydney University Sydney, Australia.
| | - Bethea How
- Speech Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Cumberland C42, PO Box 170, Sydney, New South Wales 1825, Australia.
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Zhong A, Darren B, Loiseau B, He LQB, Chang T, Hill J, Dimaras H. Ethical, social, and cultural issues related to clinical genetic testing and counseling in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. Genet Med 2018; 23:2270-2280. [PMID: 30072741 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-018-0090-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We performed a systematic review of the ethical, social, and cultural issues associated with delivery of genetic services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS We searched 11 databases for studies addressing ethical, social, and/or cultural issues associated with clinical genetic testing and/or counselling performed in LMICs. Narrative synthesis was employed to analyze findings, and resultant themes were mapped onto the social ecological model (PROSPERO #CRD42016042894). RESULTS After reviewing 13,308 articles, 192 met inclusion criteria. Nine themes emerged: (1) genetic counseling has a tendency of being directive, (2) genetic services have psychosocial consequences that require improved support, (3) medical genetics training is inadequate, (4) genetic services are difficult to access, (5) social determinants affect uptake and understanding of genetic services, (6) social stigma is often associated with genetic disease, (7) family values are at risk of disruption by genetic services, (8) religious principles pose barriers to acceptability and utilization of genetic services, and (9) cultural beliefs and practices influence uptake of information and understanding of genetic disease. CONCLUSION We identified a number of complex and interrelated ethical, cultural, and social issues with implications implications for further development of genetic services in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrina Zhong
- Division of Social and Behavioural Health Sciences, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Canada
| | - Benedict Darren
- Human Biology Program, Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Bethina Loiseau
- Human Biology Program, Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Li Qun Betty He
- Human Biology Program, Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Michael G. DeGroote Medical School, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Trillium Chang
- Human Biology Program, Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jessica Hill
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Helen Dimaras
- Division of Clinical Public Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Child Health Evaluative Sciences Program & The Centre for Global Child Health, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Human Pathology, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
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Even-Zohar Gross N, Geva-Eldar T, Pollak Y, Hirsch HJ, Gross I, Gross-Tsur V. Attitudes toward prenatal genetic testing and therapeutic termination of pregnancy among parents of offspring with Prader-Willi syndrome. Eur J Med Genet 2017; 60:205-211. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Revised: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/15/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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van Schendel RV, Kater-Kuipers A, van Vliet-Lachotzki EH, Dondorp WJ, Cornel MC, Henneman L. What Do Parents of Children with Down Syndrome Think about Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)? J Genet Couns 2016; 26:522-531. [PMID: 27618823 PMCID: PMC5415584 DOI: 10.1007/s10897-016-0012-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This study explores the attitudes of parents of children with Down syndrome towards non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and widening the scope of prenatal screening. Three focus groups (n = 16) and eleven individual interviews with Dutch parents (and two relatives) of children with Down syndrome were conducted. Safety, accuracy and earlier testing were seen as the advantages of NIPT. Some participants were critical about the practice of screening for Down syndrome, but acknowledged that NIPT enables people to know whether the fetus is affected and to prepare without risking miscarriage. Many feared uncritical use of NIPT and more abortions for Down syndrome. Concerns included the consequences for the acceptance of and facilities for children with Down syndrome, resulting in more people deciding to screen. Participants stressed the importance of good counseling and balanced, accurate information about Down syndrome. Testing for more disorders might divert the focus away from Down syndrome, but participants worried about “where to draw the line”. They also feared a loss of diversity in society. Findings show that, while parents acknowledge that NIPT offers a better and safer option to know whether the fetus is affected, they also have concerns about NIPT’s impact on the acceptance and care of children with Down syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachèl V van Schendel
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Section of Community Genetics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Adriana Kater-Kuipers
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Section of Community Genetics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Wybo J Dondorp
- Department of Health, Ethics and Society, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Research Institutes GROW and CAPHRI, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Martina C Cornel
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Section of Community Genetics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lidewij Henneman
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Section of Community Genetics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Leiva Portocarrero ME, Garvelink MM, Becerra Perez MM, Giguère A, Robitaille H, Wilson BJ, Rousseau F, Légaré F. Decision aids that support decisions about prenatal testing for Down syndrome: an environmental scan. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2015; 15:76. [PMID: 26404088 PMCID: PMC4583147 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-015-0199-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal screening tests for Down syndrome (DS) are routine in many developed countries and new tests are rapidly becoming available. Decisions about prenatal screening are increasingly complex with each successive test, and pregnant women need information about risks and benefits as well as clarity about their values. Decision aids (DAs) can help healthcare providers support women in this decision. Using an environmental scan, we aimed to identify publicly available DAs focusing on prenatal screening/diagnosis for Down syndrome that provide effective support for decision making. METHODS Data sources searched were the Decision Aids Library Inventory (DALI) of the Ottawa Patient Decision Aids Research Group at the Ottawa Health Research Institute; Google searches on the internet; professional organizations, academic institutions and other experts in the field; and references in existing systematic reviews on DAs. Eligible DAs targeted pregnant women, focused on prenatal screening and/or diagnosis, applied to tests for fetal abnormalities or aneuploidies, and were in French, English, Spanish or Portuguese. Pairs of reviewers independently identified eligible DAs and extracted characteristics including the presence of practical decision support tools and features to aid comprehension. They then performed quality assessment using the 16 minimum standards established by the International Patient Decision Aids Standards (IPDASi v4.0). RESULTS Of 543 potentially eligible DAs (512 in DALI, 27 from experts, and four on the internet), 23 were eligible and 20 were available for data extraction. DAs were developed from 1996 to 2013 in six countries (UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Sweden, and France). Five DAs were for prenatal screening, three for prenatal diagnosis and 12 for both). Eight contained values clarification methods (personal worksheets). The 20 DAs scored a median of 10/16 (range 6-15) on the 16 IPDAS minimum standards. DISCUSSION None of the 20 included DAs met all 16 IPDAS minimum standards, and few included practical decision support tools or aids to comprehension. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate there is a need for DAs that effectively support decision making regarding prenatal testing for Down syndrome, especially in light of the recently available non-invasive prenatal screening tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Esther Leiva Portocarrero
- />Research Axis of Population Health and Practice-Changing Research, CHU de Québec Research Centre, Saint-François-d’Assise Hospital, 10, rue de l’Espinay, Quebec, QC G1L 3L5 Canada
| | - Mirjam M Garvelink
- />Research Axis of Population Health and Practice-Changing Research, CHU de Québec Research Centre, Saint-François-d’Assise Hospital, 10, rue de l’Espinay, Quebec, QC G1L 3L5 Canada
| | - Maria Margarita Becerra Perez
- />Research Axis of Population Health and Practice-Changing Research, CHU de Québec Research Centre, Saint-François-d’Assise Hospital, 10, rue de l’Espinay, Quebec, QC G1L 3L5 Canada
| | - Anik Giguère
- />Centre d’excellence sur le vieillissement de Québec, CHU de Québec Research Centre, Saint-François-d’Assise Hospital, 10, rue de l’Espinay, Quebec, QC G1L 3L5 Canada
- />Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry, Université Laval, 1050, avenue de la Médecine, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6 Canada
| | - Hubert Robitaille
- />Research Axis of Population Health and Practice-Changing Research, CHU de Québec Research Centre, Saint-François-d’Assise Hospital, 10, rue de l’Espinay, Quebec, QC G1L 3L5 Canada
| | - Brenda J. Wilson
- />Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5 Canada
| | - François Rousseau
- />Department of Molecular biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry, Université Laval, 1050, avenue de la Médecine, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6 Canada
- />MSSS/FRQS/CHUQ Research Chair in Health Technology Assessment and Evidence-based Laboratory Medicine, Saint-François-d’Assise Hospital, 10, rue de l’Espinay, Quebec, QC G1L 3L5 Canada
| | - France Légaré
- />Research Axis of Population Health and Practice-Changing Research, CHU de Québec Research Centre, Saint-François-d’Assise Hospital, 10, rue de l’Espinay, Quebec, QC G1L 3L5 Canada
- />Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry, Université Laval, 1050, avenue de la Médecine, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6 Canada
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Belahcen A, Taloubi M, Chala S, Thimou Izgua A, Mdaghri Alaoui A. Mother's awareness and attitudes towards prenatal screening for Down syndrome in Muslim Moroccans. Prenat Diagn 2014; 34:821-30. [DOI: 10.1002/pd.4373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2013] [Revised: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 03/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amina Belahcen
- Mohammed V University - Souissi; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy; Rabat Morocco
- Tératovigilance Research Team; Mohammed V University - Souissi; Rabat Morocco
| | - Meriem Taloubi
- Mohammed V University - Souissi; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy; Rabat Morocco
- Tératovigilance Research Team; Mohammed V University - Souissi; Rabat Morocco
| | - Sana Chala
- Mohammed V University - Souissi; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy; Rabat Morocco
- Laboratory of Biostatistics, Clinical Research and Epidemiology; Mohammed V University - Souissi; Rabat Morocco
| | - Amal Thimou Izgua
- Mohammed V University - Souissi; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy; Rabat Morocco
- Tératovigilance Research Team; Mohammed V University - Souissi; Rabat Morocco
| | - Asmaa Mdaghri Alaoui
- Mohammed V University - Souissi; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy; Rabat Morocco
- Tératovigilance Research Team; Mohammed V University - Souissi; Rabat Morocco
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Wonkam A, Hurst S. A call for policy action in sub-Saharan Africa to rethink diagnostics for pregnancy affected by sickle cell disease: differential views of medical doctors, parents and adult patients predict value conflicts in Cameroon. OMICS-A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2014; 18:472-80. [PMID: 24754796 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2013.0167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a debilitating illness that affects the life expectancy of patients. It is possible to test for SCD before birth, to allow for reproductive options to parents. However, under Cameroonian Law, voluntary abortion is a criminal offense and medical abortion is permitted only "…if it is done by an authorized professional and justified by the need to save the mother from grave health jeopardy." The objective of the present study was to compare the views of Cameroonian doctors, parents with at least one living SCD-affected child, and adult SCD patients, regarding prenatal genetic diagnosis and termination of SCD-affected pregnancy. We conducted a quantitative sociological survey of 110 doctors, 130 parents, and 89 adult patients. The majority accepted the prenatal genetic diagnosis for SCD (78.7%, 89.8%, and 89.2%, respectively). Parents (62.5%) were more in favor of termination of SCD-affected pregnancy, than doctors and adults patients (36.1% and 40.9% acceptance, respectively). Parents and patients who found medical abortion acceptable cited fear to have a SCD-affected child (98.1 and 88.9%) and the poor quality of the affected child's health (92.6% and 81.5%). The data underscore the urgency of policy action to place emphasis on: premarital screening, early detection and care of SCD, socio-economic measures to assist SCD-affected families, appropriateness to consider maternal distress due to fetal anomalies in medical abortion legislation. These novel findings signal potential value-based conflicts on the horizon, and can usefully inform the future policy actions in the African continent as OMICS biotechnologies are increasingly employed in global health. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first attempt in sub-Saharan Africa to attempt to triangulate the views of multiple stakeholders towards prenatal diagnosis of SCD and termination of an affected pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambroise Wonkam
- 1 Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town , Cape Town, South Africa
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Elsayed GM, El Assiouty L, El Sobky ES. The importance of rapid aneuploidy screening and prenatal diagnosis in the detection of numerical chromosomal abnormalities. SPRINGERPLUS 2013; 2:490. [PMID: 24156088 PMCID: PMC3798449 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-2-490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2013] [Accepted: 09/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Evaluation of Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) as a tool for rapid aneuploidy screening (RAS) of high risk pregnancies, before its approval in the national antenatal screening and genetic diagnosis program in Egypt. Methods The cytogenetic data of prenatal specimens, and results of FISH of 100 patients performed between, January 2009 and December 2009, at the Medical Genetics Center (MGC) laboratory were retrieved and reviewed. AneuVysion Assay kit was used for detection of 13, 21, X, Y, 18 aneuploidies. Results Maternal age varied from 21 to 44 years (mean was 35.6 year). Ninety percent of pregnancies had normal chromosomes and 10% of the cases had numerical chromosomal abnormalities. Trisomy 21 was the most frequent chromosomal disorder across all indications (5%), followed by Turner syndrome (2%), trisomy 18 (2%), and trisomy 13 (1%). When comparing the FISH data with karyotype results for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X, and Y in the 83 individual tested, no false positive or negative results were detected by the FISH assay. The result obtained by FISH and the banding cytogenetic were in complete accordance. Conclusion This study supports the integration of amniotic fluid (AF) FISH as a RAS test, in to routine antenatal practice for identification of chromosome aneuploidies. There are trends towards delayed childbearing and most cases of Down Syndrome (DS) are currently detected post-nataly in the Egyptian population. Consequently, the live birth prevalence of DS has increased, which might lead to a serious negative public health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghada M Elsayed
- Clinical pathology Department, National cancer institute, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt ; Medical genetics center, 27A Baghdad Street, Korba Cairo, Egypt
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