Digitala Vetenskapliga Arkivet

Change search
CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf
Pregnancy Ultrasound Detecting Soft Markers – the Challenge of Communicating Risk Figures
Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Women's and Children's Health.
2014 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

This thesis focuses on expectant parents’ experiences and needs when soft makers are detected at mid-trimester ultrasound, resulting in an unexpected assessment of risk for fetal anomalies. The thesis also describes the prevalence of ultrasonographic fetal soft markers and the incidence of Down syndrome in a low-risk population of 10,535 pregnant women with a total of 10,710 fetuses, as well as the risk of invasive prenatal diagnostics in conjunction with the detection of soft markers. Finally, the thesis aims to explore the value of a web-based patient decision aid (DA) in facilitating informed decision making regarding routine fetal screening for anomalies and the fathers’ role in decision making regarding prenatal screening.

A prospective observational study was conducted between 2008–2011 to investigate the prevalence of ultrasonographic fetal soft markers at second trimester screening. During this time period, 12 women and 17 men were interviewed about their experience when soft markers were detected. Based on the results of these interviews, a web-based decision aid (DA) to enhance expectant parents’ decision-making concerning fetal screening was developed and a trial initiated to test its utility. Interviews were conducted with 17 women who received access to the DA, 11 who had chosen to use the DA and six who had not used it. All interview studies were analysed using systematic text condensation (STC) developed by Malterud.

Soft markers were detected in 5.9% of the fetuses at mid-trimester ultrasound, whereof 5.1% were isolated. All soft markers showed a positive likelihood ratio (LR+) for DS; however, the association was only statistically significant for the collapsed category ‘any marker’ (isolated, multiple or combined with anomaly), not for isolated markers. An almost 24-fold increase of invasive diagnostic testing was shown in all women, including those with a low estimated risk for aneuploidy, i.e. < 1/200 (paper III).

The results from interviews showed that the finding of soft markers created much anxiety and indicated that both women and men lacked awareness of the potential of the ultrasound examination (papers I and II). The results also showed that the men were actively engaged in decision making not only by supporting their partners, but also considered their own values and needs regarding these issues (paper II). It was also evident that women wanted their partners to be engaged in decisions regarding fetal diagnostics (papers I and IV).

The web-based patient DA was able to initiate a process of conscious decision making in pregnant women, as a result of their interaction with the tool. The DA allowed for clarification of women’s thoughts and priorities and helped them to understand the significance of the screening result and providing a basis for making informed decisions regarding fetal screening (paper IV).

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Uppsala: Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis, 2014. , p. 80
Series
Digital Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Medicine, ISSN 1651-6206 ; 985
Keywords [en]
Pregnancy, Ultrasound, Soft markers, Prenatal, Screening, Fathers, Informed decision making, Decision aid.
National Category
Other Medical Sciences
Research subject
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-221142ISBN: 978-91-554-8909-0 (print)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:uu-221142DiVA, id: diva2:707864
Public defence
2014-05-08, Universitetshuset sal 9, Biskopsgatan 3, Uppsala, 13:15 (Swedish)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2014-04-16 Created: 2014-03-25 Last updated: 2022-01-28
List of papers
1. Did I really want to know this?: Pregnant women's reaction to detection of a soft marker during ultrasound screening
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Did I really want to know this?: Pregnant women's reaction to detection of a soft marker during ultrasound screening
2010 (English)In: Patient Education and Counseling, ISSN 0738-3991, E-ISSN 1873-5134, Vol. 81, no 1, p. 87-93Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Objective: To investigate women's expectations of routine ultrasound and experiences when soft markers were discovered: what the disclosure meant, how it affected them, how they experienced the information given and why they did or did not choose amniocentesis. Design: Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 women 25-30 weeks into the pregnancy, 7-13 weeks after the discovery of a soft marker. Findings: Women lacked knowledge about the potential of the scan and detection of soft markers created strong emotional reactions that women thought could have been alleviated by prior information about potential findings. Information in connection with the scan was perceived as insufficient. Decision about amniocentesis was affected by attitudes to disability, anxiety about fetal loss due to the procedure, need for certainty by a diagnostic test, and partner's opinion. Conclusions: Women were shocked by the unexpected and sometimes unwanted information on elevated risk for a chromosomal aberration for which they lacked any preparation. Because this event often has long-lasting effects on the pregnancy, models of information that are efficient in promoting informed decisions are imperative. Practice implications: Both women and their partners need relevant information before and in connection with ultrasound scan to be able to make informed choices.

Keywords
Fetal ultrasonography, Ultrasonographic soft markers, Chromosomal aberrations, Ethical dilemmas, Psychological aspects
National Category
Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-134822 (URN)10.1016/j.pec.2009.12.011 (DOI)000282070900015 ()
Available from: 2010-12-02 Created: 2010-12-01 Last updated: 2017-12-12Bibliographically approved
2. Facts first, then reaction: expectant fathers' experiences of an ultrasound screening identifying soft markers
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Facts first, then reaction: expectant fathers' experiences of an ultrasound screening identifying soft markers
2012 (English)In: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, ISSN 0001-6349, E-ISSN 1600-0412, Vol. 91, p. 60-61Article in journal, Meeting abstract (Other academic) Published
National Category
Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-177434 (URN)000304987600093 ()
Available from: 2012-12-13 Created: 2012-07-13 Last updated: 2017-12-06Bibliographically approved
3. Ultrasonographic fetal soft markers in a low-risk population: prevalence, association with trisomies and invasive tests
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Ultrasonographic fetal soft markers in a low-risk population: prevalence, association with trisomies and invasive tests
Show others...
2014 (English)In: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, ISSN 0001-6349, E-ISSN 1600-0412, Vol. 93, no 4, p. 367-373Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Objective

To investigate the prevalence of soft markers identified at second trimester ultrasound in a low-risk population and the association of these markers with trisomies and invasive testing.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Swedish University Hospital.

Population

All women with fetuses examined by ultrasound at 15+0–22+0 weeks gestation between July 2008 and March 2011.

Methods

Cases with soft markers were compared with non-cases with regard to trisomies and invasive testing.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence of soft markers, likelihood ratio for trisomies and risk ratio for invasive tests after detection of soft markers.

Results

Second trimester ultrasound was performed on 10 710 fetuses. Markers were detected in 5.9% of fetuses. 5.1% were isolated, 0.7% were multiple and 0.1% were combined with an anomaly. Presence of markers showed a positive likelihood ratio for Down syndrome, but the association (likelihood ratio = 7.1) was only statistically significant for the combined category of any marker (isolated, multiple or combined with anomaly). The risk ratio for invasive testing after the second trimester ultrasound was 24.0 in pregnancies with isolated soft markers compared with those without markers.

Conclusion

In a low-risk population, soft markers were found in 5.9% of fetuses at second trimester ultrasound. The likelihood ratio for Down syndrome was significant only for any marker (isolated, multiple or combined with anomaly). The presence of soft markers increased the incidence of invasive procedures substantially. Soft markers should be noted when information on second trimester ultrasound is formulated, and all units performing fetal ultrasound examinations should have established routines concerning information management when soft markers are identified.

National Category
Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-219104 (URN)10.1111/aogs.12334 (DOI)000333150700007 ()24433283 (PubMedID)
Available from: 2014-02-21 Created: 2014-02-21 Last updated: 2017-12-05Bibliographically approved
4. ‘It made you think about your opinion’ -Women's perception of a web-based decision aid concerning screening for fetal anomalies
Open this publication in new window or tab >>‘It made you think about your opinion’ -Women's perception of a web-based decision aid concerning screening for fetal anomalies
(English)Manuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Background:All pregnant women in Sweden are offered amid-trimester ultrasound examination as part of antenatal care. It is free ofcharge and very few women decline. Despite efforts to provide information,research shows that women’s choice of prenatal screening is often not based oninformed decisions. Objectives:To investigate the potential of a web-baseddecision aid (DA) concerning screening for fetal anomalies to initiate aprocess of reflection and conscious decision-making in pregnant women. Methods: Theweb-based DA consisted of four modules: ‘Facts about fetal diagnostics’,‘Likelihood of anomalies’, ‘Expectant parents’ stories’, and the interactive‘Worksheets’. Seventeen women with access to the DA were interviewed, eleven who opted to usethe DA and six who did not. Data were analysed by systematic text condensation. Results: Women appreciated the decisional aid for being easilyaccessible and emphasised the importance of a reliable source. The DA helpedthem to clarify their own standpoints and engaged their partner in the decision-makingprocess. Reading the expectant parents’ stories seemed especially instrumentalin making women more aware of their own standpoint. Women described that the DAenhanced their awareness that participating in prenatal screening anddiagnostics was a conscious choice. Women who chose not to use the web-based DAwhen offered believed they already had sufficient knowledge to make a decisionabout the different tests. Conclusions: TheDA was able to initiate a process of conscious decision-making in pregnantwomen as a result of their interaction with the tool. Practical Implications: A web-based DA has low costs, is convenientlyavailable to a population with Internet access and can be used on one’s ownterms. The DAs ability to improve awareness of the need to make a consciouschoice showed that this might be a feasible tool for sharing information duringpregnancy.

Keywords
Decision aid, genetic screening, informed choice, pregnancy ultrasound
National Category
Other Clinical Medicine
Research subject
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-221140 (URN)
Available from: 2014-03-25 Created: 2014-03-25 Last updated: 2014-04-29

Open Access in DiVA

fulltext(1073 kB)2741 downloads
File information
File name FULLTEXT01.pdfFile size 1073 kBChecksum SHA-512
b8fe46df317592f59ee4dd27491e14f1275b023ba1301c02045fcff76862c7abe2e6d0e4cd5879fedc67f447fa83e6f65e4356ad425a1d6d6258635b4b9c0cdf
Type fulltextMimetype application/pdf

Search in DiVA

By author/editor
Åhman, Annika
By organisation
Department of Women's and Children's Health
Other Medical Sciences

Search outside of DiVA

GoogleGoogle Scholar
Total: 2743 downloads
The number of downloads is the sum of all downloads of full texts. It may include eg previous versions that are now no longer available

isbn
urn-nbn

Altmetric score

isbn
urn-nbn
Total: 1810 hits
CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf