What Do Pregnant Women Think About Whole Genome Sequencing of Fetal DNA?

Survey respondents expressed various views; most would want provider input for decision making.

Prenatal testing for chromosomal abnormalities is moving toward examination of fetal DNA recovered from maternal circulation. Investigators explored attitudes of pregnant women regarding whole genome sequencing (WGS) and the importance of their clinicians' involvement in decision making. Of 553 respondents (all in Northern Virginia), most were in their 30s, white, and said religion was very or extremely important. Possible traits and diseases to be potentially identified included appearance (e.g., eye color) and a range of treatable and untreatable adult- and childhood-onset conditions.

Women showed a strong preference (90%) for learning of serious treatable childhood-onset conditions. Most also wanted to know about other health conditions; …

Reviewing Author

Anna Wald, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAicuris; Bayer; GSK; Innovative Molecules; Merck; MAPP Biopharmaceutical (Safety Monitoring Committee)

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; GSK; Moderna; Assembly Biomedical; Aicuris

Editorial BoardsSexually Transmitted Diseases; Sexually Transmitted Infections; Journal of Infectious Diseases

Leadership PositionsID Division Chiefs Community of Practice (At-Large Member)