PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - M Petrou
AU  - M Brugiatelli
AU  - R H Ward
AU  - B Modell
TI  - Factors affecting the uptake of prenatal diagnosis for sickle cell disease.
AID  - 10.1136/jmg.29.11.820
DP  - 1992 Nov 01
TA  - Journal of Medical Genetics
PG  - 820--823
VI  - 29
IP  - 11
4099  - http://jmg.bmj.com/content/29/11/820.short
4100  - http://jmg.bmj.com/content/29/11/820.full
SO  - J Med Genet1992 Nov 01; 29
AB  - Between 1979 and 1990, 170 couples at risk of having children with sickle cell disease, resident in the UK and with a continuing pregnancy, were referred for counselling at the University College Hospital Perinatal Centre. Approximately 50% of the couples, including those where one partner actually had sickle cell disease, requested prenatal diagnosis. This was requested in 82% of pregnancies when the mother was seen in the first trimester of pregnancy and in 49% when she was seen in the second trimester. More than 90% of referred couples who already had an affected child requested prenatal diagnosis. The type of sickle cell disease involved and ethnic group also influenced choice. These results show the importance of detecting and counselling couples at risk before pregnancy whenever possible.