Newborn screening for Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a psychosocial study

Parsons, Evelyn Patricia, Clarke, Angus John ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1200-9286, Hood, Kerenza ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5268-8631, Lycett, Emma Jane and Bradley, Don M. 2002. Newborn screening for Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a psychosocial study. Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and neonatal edition 86 (2) , pp. 91-95. 10.1136/fn.86.2.F91

Preview

PDF Download (151kB) | Preview

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the psychosocial implications of newborn screening for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Design: Prospective psychosocial assessment. Setting: Primary care. Respondents: Study: (a) families of an affected boy identified by screening (n = 20); (b) families of a boy with a transient screening abnormality (n = 18). Control: (a) families of a boy with a later clinical diagnosis (n = 16); (b) random sample of mothers of boys aged 6–9 months (n = 43). Interventions: Questionnaires and semistructured interviews. Main outcome measures: Attitudes to newborn screening and impact of screening on mother-baby relationship, anxiety/wellbeing, and reproductive patterning within families of an affected boy. Results: Most families of an affected boy were in favour of newborn screening on the grounds of reproductive choice and time to prepare emotionally and practically. There was no evidence of any long term disruption to the mother-baby relationship. Anxiety levels for the screened group were slightly above threshold but returned to normal during the period of the study. There was no evidence, from anxiety or wellbeing scores, that the transient group had suffered any disadvantage. Although the profile of the screened and later clinically diagnosed cohorts was similar after diagnosis, when boys from the screened cohort were 4 years old and more socially aware, their profile was more positive. There was evidence that reproductive patterning had been modified, and four fetuses carrying a mutation causing Duchenne muscular dystrophy were terminated. Conclusion: A case can be made for newborn screening provided that the test is optional, a rigorous protocol for service delivery is used, and an infrastructure providing continuing support is in place.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences
Uncontrolled Keywords:	screening; Duchenne muscular dystrophy; psychosocial genetics
Publisher:	BMJ Publishing Group
ISSN:	1359-2998
Last Modified:	22 Jul 2023 16:19
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/766

Citation Data

Cited 89 times in Scopus. View in Scopus. Powered By Scopus® Data

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item