MOTHERS REACTIONS TO PRENATAL DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES AND DEXAMETHASONETREATMENT OF CONGENITAL ADRENAL-HYPERPLASIA

A retrospective survey of mothers' attitudes toward and experiences of chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis and dexamethasone (DEX) trea tment was conducted in 38 women who underwent a prenatal diagnostic pr ocedure for congenital adrenal hyperplasia because of a previously aff ected child (n = 37) or because the mother herself was affected (n = 1 ). Both diagnostic procedures were well tolerated and almost every wom an said that the anxiety or discomfort associated with the procedure w as far outweighed by the value of knowing whether or not her fetus was affected. The earlier diagnostic information provided by chorionic vi llus sampling was highly valued. Maternal ride-effects of DEX were com mon (75%) and more than one-third of the women rated one or more side- effects as 'severe' (weight gain, fatigue, stomach pain, irritability, facial hair growth). Many women expressed anxiety about possible shor t- and long-term side-effects of DEX on their unborn children and them selves but all said they would undergo DEX treatment again to prevent virilization.