Table 2.
Reasons for failure to offer prenatal diagnosis in 126 pregnancies
| Reason | No (%) of couples | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unavoidable | 10 (8) | 3 atypical indices, 3 partners unavailable, 2 late presentations of pregnancy, 2 wrong dates |
| Woman not screened | 35 (28) | No Hb A2 estimation or electrophoresis |
| Partner not tested | 29 (23) | No indices, Hb A2 estimation, or electrophoresis for partner |
| Laboratory error | 15 (12) | 1 inappropriate test, 3 false low Hb A2, 3 borderline indices, 3 clerical or communication errors, 3 false risk assessments, 2 “knock on” errors* |
| Undue delay in screening | 13 (10) | Late detection of risk |
| Failed communication | 5 (4) | 4 general practitioner reported risk when referring, no action 1 carrier father given “non-carrier” card |
| Manifest risk not recognised | 5 (4) | Previous history (existing affected child or known risk) noted, no action |
| Not counselled | 4 (3) | Carrier state detected in both partners, no action |
| Risk “lost” | 4 (3) | No record in obstetric notes or laboratory of a risk already detected in a previous pregnancy |
| Unknown | 6 (5) | |
| Total | 126 (100) |
*
Failure to recognise risk or retest during a pregnancy because of false negative result in earlier pregnancy.