Changing their minds with time: A comparison of hypothetical and actual reproductive behaviors in parents of children with cystic fibrosis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. Newborn screening for cystic fibrosis, with appropriate counseling, enables carrier parents to be informed early about future reproductive choices. Previous studies have assessed attitudes toward reproductive decisions in a hypothetical pregnancy or have measured reproductive behaviors. We aimed to measure parent attitudes to reproductive technologies and to compare prospectively these attitudes with later reproductive behaviors. METHODS. Parents of children who had cystic fibrosis and were aged 2 to 7 years were surveyed at baseline using a written questionnaire that explored attitudes to prenatal testing and termination of pregnancy in a hypothetical pregnancy. Parent knowledge ..