Psychological health associated with prenatal screening in low-risk pregnancy for chromosomal aneuploidy

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the psychological health associated with prenatal screening in low-risk pregnancy for chromosomal aneuploidy.

Methods: This longitudinal study was performed on 310 low-risk pregnancies for chromosomal aneuploidies. Using the standard DASS-21 questionnaire, levels of stress, anxiety, and depression were assessed-prior to the recommended time for the first-trimester screening test (T1), after the first-trimester tests on the second referral (T2) concurrently with the request for the second-trimester tests (T3)-and compared between women undergoing the prenatal screening and in women refusing it.

Results: The results showed that the mean of stress, anxiety, and depression levels were not different between groups at T1; but the level of the stress, depression, and anxiety were higher in the screening group than the non-screening group. The effect of group on changes in the stress, depression, and anxiety levels was significant.

Conclusion: The results revealed that the prenatal screening program in low-risk pregnancies for chromosomal aneuploidy can be followed by rising psychological symptoms and this psychological burden should be conceded on prenatal screening tests for pregnant women.