出生前診断を希望する妊婦に対する検査前の情報提供の重要性

抄録

When there is an increased risk of fetal abnormalities, we offer prenatal diagnostic examinations to accurately assess the clinical condition. Due to advances in diagnostic techniques, including the rapid development of molecular genetic techniques, prenatal diagnostic approaches have become more diverse. Now that prenatal diagnosis is widely offered in many institutions, ethical issues have arisen. Pregnant women receiving prenatal diagnostic procedures may experience increased anxiety and even turn too readily to abortion in the setting of uncertainty, due to lack of adequate knowledge, and thereby later experience regret.

Therefore, a high degree of technical expertise is important for providing meaningful responses to the psychosocial and ethical concerns raised by prenatal diagnosis. In addition, various aspects of prenatal diagnosis are associated with a complex range of psychological challenges, and it is necessary to support self-determination whether or not patients elect to undergo the examinations. Also, pregnant women seeking prenatal diagnosis must have detailed information and sufficient genetic counseling.