What about Informed Consent in First-Trimester Ultrasound Screening for Down Syndrome?

Abstract

The response to the question 'Is the level of medical information provided to patients concerning early screening by first-trimester ultrasound scans appropriate?' is 'no'. There is no difference in our result according to social-economic level. However, educational level (66% consent for patients with 2 years of higher education after the baccalaureate), a history of medical termination (85% consent), being followed at a hospital (77% consent) and the score of the doctor (71% consent) were all significantly associated with the level of consent to prenatal screening. It is difficult for patients to exercise their autonomy as concerns first-trimester ultrasound scans. Too many patients (82%) consider such scans to be compulsory. Overall, the level of knowledge of the patients was moderate, with 227 of the 305 patients (74%) having a satisfactory knowledge score (> or =10). The negative responses to the various questions calls into question the legitimacy of consent for first-trimester ultrasound scans, particularly as concerns the measurement of nucal translucency.