Authors: Nazimah I, Noor Sham Y L, Khairun Niza C N, Mohd Ikhsan S, Nadzratulaiman N, Juliana Y.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the factors that contributes to the decision for termination of pregnancy in prenatally diagnosed fetal anomaly cases.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of all cases of prenatally diagnosed fetal anomaly who delivered between 1 January 2007 and 30 June 2009 in two tertiary hospitals in Malaysia.
Results: A total of seventy-two (72) prenatally diagnosed pregnancies with fetal anomalies were identified. Mean maternal age was 29.8 ± 5.5 years and mean parity 1.47 ± 1.8. 70.8% of patients were ethnic Malay, 15.3% Chinese and 12.5% ethnic Indian. 22 (30.6%) fetuses were lethally abnormal. The overall pregnancy termination rate was 29.2%. 50% of pregnancies with lethally abnormal fetuses were terminated compared to 20% of pregnancies with non-lethal abnormality (p<0.05). There were no significant differences seen in the decision for pregnancy termination with regards to mean maternal age, parity and between mothers of different ethnic backgrounds.
Conclusion: Severity of fetal anomaly is the main determinant in the decision for pregnancy termination. Maternal age, parity and ethnic background did not significantly influence the decision.
Keywords: Prenatal diagnosis, Fetal anomaly, Termination of pregnancy, Determining factors.
Citation: IeJSME 2010: 4(2): 41-46
