IDENTIFYING CARRIERS AT HIGH-RISK FOR NEGATIVE REACTIONS WHEN PERFORMING PRENATAL-DIAGNOSIS OF HEMOPHILIA

The aim of the current study was to determine which pregnant carriers of haemophilia are at particularly high risk for having notably negati ve psychological reactions in association with prenatal diagnosis (PND ) by fetal blood sampling of offspring haemophilia. Among 29 carriers of haemophilia A or B, notable psychiatric or psychosomatic symptoms i n association with PND were significantly related to the woman's havin g a negative view of herself in general and of being a gene carrier, a planned pregnancy, high education, a good general knowledge of haemop hilia and a guiding philosophy of life. Women with strong negative rea ctions significantly more often reported signs of depressive mood at f ollow-up. The results suggest that giving more information and promoti ng increased knowledge about the disease and the PND procedure will, b y itself, not help women to cope better emotionally. Provision of pros pective psychosocial support is recommended.