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A cross-country comparison of pregnant women's decision-making and perspectives when opting for non-invasive prenatal testing in the Netherlands and Belgium |
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| Authors: | Lore Lannoo Karuna R M van der Meij Mireille N Bekker Luc De Catte Sarah Deckers Koenraad Devriendt Nele Roggen Robert-Jan H Galjaard Janneke Gitsels-van der Wal Merryn V E Macville Linda Martin Erik A Sistermans Kristel Van Calsteren Joachim Van Keirsbilck Neeltje Crombag Lidewij Henneman |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fetomaternal Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium;2. Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Utrecht University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands;4. Department of Human Genetics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium;5. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, AZ Imelda, Bonheiden, Belgium;6. Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands;7. Department of Midwifery Science, Amsterdam UMC, location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Quality of Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;8. Department of Clinical Genetics, GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands;9. Department of Midwifery Science, Amsterdam UMC, location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Midwifery Academy Amsterdam Groningen, InHolland, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;10. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, AZ Sint Jan, Bruges, Belgium;11. Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium |
| Abstract: | BackgroundThe 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.MethodsA 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.ResultsDifferences 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).ConclusionDifferences 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. |
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