Maternal decision to terminate pregnancy after a diagnosis of down syndrome

mproved screening techniques and strategies for identifying fetal anomaies have led to a more widespread use of own syndrome (DS) screening and dignosis, and to an increased number of erminations of pregnancy (TOP) for own syndrome. It has been shown hat, after a diagnosis of DS, 85-95% of the women decide to terminate pregnancy. Until recently, little was known about the process of parental decisionmaking, and available data are either casuistic or based on small numbers. In 2005, Skotko published the results of a postal questionnaire study in 141 mothers who continued their pregnancy after prenatal diagnosis of DS before 24 weeks of gestation. The aim of that study was to describe the counseling process and to identify points for improvement. It was suggested that similar data on women who decided to terminate pregnancy because of DS would be a welcome addition to the literature. We conducted such a study in 71 women, to get insight into psychological, social, and moral aspects of this decision and to suggest possibilities for improving health care and counseling.