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Objective To assess the reasons and perceptions of women who are offered a choice between karyotyping and standalone rapid aneuploidy detection (RAD) and to compare the impact of both tests on anxiety and health-related quality of life. Methods In this prospective comparative study, women undergoing amniocentesis on behalf of their age or for an increased Down syndrome risk were offered a choice between karyotyping (group 1, n = 68) and standalone RAD (group 2, n = 61). Follow-up was 9 weeks post amniocentesis. Results The most commonly cited reason for choosing karyotyping was obtaining as much information as possible, while for choosing standalone RAD, it was the short waiting time. Prenatal screening (OR 7.09), no knowledge of karyotyping (OR 4.2), and an intermediate perceived risk for chromosomal abnormalities (OR 3.6) were associated with choosing standalone RAD. There were no systematic differences in time of karyotyping and standalone RAD in terms of anxiety ( P = 0.11), generic physical and mental health ( P = 0.94, 0.52; P = 0.66, 0.07), personal perceived control (PPC; P = 0.69), and stress ( P = 0.66). Conclusion Offering a choice between karyotyping and standalone RAD does not influence anxiety, stress, PPC, or generic health. Individual choice in prenatal diagnosis meets individual needs and thereby could reduce anxiety and stress. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess the impact of rapid aneuploidy detection (RAD) combined with fetal karyotyping versus karyotyping only on maternal anxiety and health-related quality of life. Methods Women choosing to undergo amniocentesis were selected into group 1, i.e. receiving a karyotype result only ( n = 132) or to group 2, i.e. receiving both the result of RAD and karyotyping ( n = 181). Results There were no systematic differences in time of RAD combined with karyotyping versus karyotyping only in terms of anxiety ( P = 0.91), generic physical health ( P = 0.76, P = 0.46), generic mental health ( P = 0.52, P = 0.72), personal perceived control ( P = 0.91) and stress ( P = 0.13). RAD combined with karyotyping reduced anxiety and stress two weeks earlier compared to karyotyping only. Conclusion RAD as add-on to karyotyping reduces anxiety and stress in the short term but it does not influence overall anxiety, stress, personal perceived control, and generic mental and physical health when compared to a karyotype-only strategy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developments in prenatal diagnosis raise the question which test strategy should be implemented. However, preferences of women and caregivers are underexposed. This study investigates what kind of prenatal test pregnant women and caregivers prefer and if differences between the groups exist, using self-report questionnaires. Women preferred either karyotyping (50%) or rapid aneuploidy detection (43%). Caregivers opted for the latter (78%). A test targeted on Down syndrome was the least preferred in both groups. We recommend the use of individualised choice for genetic test in prenatal diagnosis, overcoming the existing differences in preferences between women and caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]