HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Buskens, E Articles by Grobbee, D E Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Buskens, E Articles by Grobbee, D E

Routine prenatal screening for congenital heart disease: what can be expected? A decision-analytic approach.

E Buskens, E W Steyerberg, J Hess, J W Wladimiroff and D E Grobbee

Department of Epidemiology and Biosatatistics, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the potential impact of fetal ultrasound screening on the number of newborns affected by cardiac anomalies. METHODS: A decision model was developed that included the prevalence and history of congenital heart disease, characteristics of ultrasound, risk of abortion, and attitude toward pregnancy termination. Probabilities were obtained with a literature survey; sensitivity analysis showed their influence on expected outcomes. RESULTS: Presently, screening programs may prevent the birth of approximately 1300 severely affected newborns per million second-trimester pregnancies. However, over 2000 terminations of pregnancy would be required, 750 of which would have ended in intrauterine death or spontaneous abortion. Further, 9900 false-positive screening results would occur, requiring referral. Only the sensitivity of routine screening and attitude toward termination of pregnancy appeared to influence the yield substantially. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of routine screening for congenital heart disease appeared relatively small. Further data may be required to fully assess the utility of prenatal screening.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. Khoshnood, C. De Vigan, V. Vodovar, J. Goujard, A. Lhomme, D. Bonnet, and F. Goffinet Trends in Prenatal Diagnosis, Pregnancy Termination, and Perinatal Mortality of Newborns With Congenital Heart Disease in France, 1983-2000: A Population-Based Evaluation Pediatrics, January 1, 2005; 115(1): 95 - 101. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Bonnet, A. Coltri, G. Butera, L. Fermont, J. Le Bidois, J. Kachaner, and D. Sidi Detection of Transposition of the Great Arteries in Fetuses Reduces Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality Circulation, February 23, 1999; 99(7): 916 - 918. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]