Evaluation of molecular prenatal diagnosis for Downs syndrome- systematic review
Grimshaw GM, Szczepura A, Hultén M, MacDonald F, Nevin NC, Sutton F, Dhanjal S
Record ID 32001000716
English
Authors' objectives:
The objectives of this study were to:
• measure the technical performance of FISH and Q-PCR tests versus karyotyping
• estimate the relative costs of molecular tests under various conditions
• establish the value to women, clinicians and others of more rapid molecular test results
• assess the cost-effectiveness of molecular tests, and consider possible changes in current testing protocols.
Authors' recommendations:
Implications for healthcareIn the current climate, the use of prenatal testing is determined by individual clinicians, laboratories and hospitals. There is evidence of a lack of equity of provision, and of regionaland local variations with regard to primary risk assessment. This may well be replicated with regard to final diagnosis if molecular tests are introduced without discussion of appropriate implementation protocols based on this report. Debate and consensus will be necessary to develop clinical protocols for introduction of molecular tests and prevent continuation of inequities and variations. Important ethical issues must not be overlooked and crucial to this debate will be the needs and wishes of parents as well as the viewsof other stakeholders such as scientists, obstetricians and midwives.
Details
Project Status:
Completed
URL for project:
http://www.hta.ac.uk/984
Year Published:
2003
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
England, United Kingdom
MeSH Terms
- Down Syndrome
- Prenatal Diagnosis
Contact
Organisation Name:
NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme
Contact Address:
NIHR Journals Library, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, Alpha House, University of Southampton Science Park, Southampton SO16 7NS, UK
Contact Name:
journals.library@nihr.ac.uk
Contact Email:
journals.library@nihr.ac.uk
Copyright:
2009 Queen's Printer and Controller of HMSO
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.