Reproductive decisions after neonatal screening identifies cystic fibrosis

Aims-To document the reproductive choices made by women in New South Wales, Australia, after neonatal screening has identified cystic fibrosis (CF). Methods-A sample of women attending cystic fibrosis clinics in New South Wa les who had a child (or children) diagnosed by neonatal screening between 1 981 and 1996 were interviewed. Results -Two thirds of the women chose to avoid having another child with C E The uptake of prenatal diagnosis was 66% in women who had a subsequent pr egnancy; of these 69% terminated or would have terminated an affected fetus . Fifty nine per cent of the women who decided against a further pregnancy made this decision in order to avoid having another child with CE Conclusions-These data show that having a child with CF influenced subseque nt reproductive choices. In addition to the medical advantages of an early diagnosis offered by neonatal screening, this also allows informed future r eproductive decisions.