Prenatal diagnosis and elective termination of neural tube defects in Hawaii, 1986-1997

Objective: To determine the influence of various factors on the prenatal di agnosis and elective termination of neural tube defects (NTDs) in Hawaii in 1986-1997, Methods: Data from a birth defects registry were analyzed and i ncluded 245 cases. Results: 74% of the cases were prenatally diagnosed and 48% were terminated. Anencephaly was more likely to be prenatally diagnosed and electively terminated than spina bifida or encephalocele, Other factor s such as maternal age, race/ethnicity, place of residence, and elevated ma ternal serum a-fetoprotein influenced the prenatal diagnosis and/or electiv e termination of NTD-affected pregnancies. However, a given factor may infl uence prenatal diagnosis and elective termination in different ways. Conclu sions: Various diagnostic and demographic factors can influence the prenata l diagnosis and the subsequent termination of NTD-affected pregnancies. Cop yright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.