Attitude and practice of medical professionals towards prenatal ultrasound screening for congenital anomalies

Abstract

Background: Congenital anomalies arc among the leading causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The advent of prenatal ultrasound screening for anomalies has profoundly affected perinatal care positively. This study was aimed at obtaining the views of the practitioners which usually constitute an integral part of the success of any practice, including screening for congenital anomalies. Method: This is a cross-sectional descriptive survey conducted during a practical ultrasound training course. It involved the use of a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire. The responses were codified and relevant statistical analysis was performed. Results: Seventy-seven medical professionals participated in the workshop and filled the questionnaires. 71% of the respondents were Consultant Obstetricians. Only few (13%) respondents refer patients for routine fetal anomaly scans while 70.1% reserved referral to only eases at high risk of congenital malformations. Informed consent-mostly verbal (90%)-for fetal anomaly scan was routinely obtained by less than half (46%) of the respondents. Protocols to guide practice, diagnosis, decision and management of congenital anomalies in utero existed in only few centers. 75% of the respondents will advocate pregnancy termination for lethal Ictal anomalies, while 27.3% will advocate pregnancy termination for anomalies that will reduce quality of life. Conclusion: Since congenital anomalies is one of the leading causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality, there is need for established protocols to guide the practice, diagnosis, decision and management of these congenital anomalies found in pregnancy so as to improve the quality of care.