Parental decisions following the prenatal diagnosis of sex chromosome abnormalities

Abstract

Objective: To report parental decisions regarding pregnancy termination following the prenatal diagnosis of a sex chromosome abnormality (SCA) in the fetus.

Methods: Retrospective collection of data from records of 61 families receiving genetic counseling after prenatal diagnosis of a sex chromosome abnormality in the fetus in the Division of Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Geneva during the time period 1980-2001.

Results: Among 61 couples with a prenatal diagnosis of a sex chromosome abnormality (SCA), 44 couples (72.1%) decided to terminate pregnancy. Pregnancy termination rates were 100, 73.9, 70, 50 and 42.9% for Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, 47,XXX females, 47,XYY males, and mosaic cases, respectively. In all 11 cases with a fetal abnormality seen on ultrasound, pregnancy was terminated. Termination rates were higher among couples with a higher mean number of previous children. Maternal age and year of test did not influence parental decisions.

Conclusions: Parental decision to terminate a pregnancy for a fetus with a SCA varied by type of sex chromosome abnormality, by presence of fetal ultrasound anomalies, and by the mean number of previous children.