Ethical Discussion: Termination of Pregnancy after Prenatal Diagnosis of Cleft Lip in a Chinese Population in Hong Kong

Authors

  • WL LAU
  • EC HUI
  • FK LAI
  • TK LO
  • RKH CHIN
  • WC LEUNG
  • WY CHEUNG

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12809/hkjgom.13.1.143

Abstract

Objectives: To determine factors influencing the decision to terminate or continue a pregnancy after prenatal diagnosis of congenital cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CLP) and discuss the ethical dilemmas in prenatal counselling in terms of autonomy and social issues.
Methods: A total of 38 fetuses or newborns with congenital CLP in a regional district hospital in Hong Kong born over a 6-year period were studied. Outcomes of the 26 fetuses detected to have non-syndromic CLP (before 24 weeks) were studied with respect to demographic, social, and prenatal factors.
Results: The overall frequency of CLP was 1.11 per 1000 births. Approximately 31% (8/26) non-syndromic CLP detected prenatally (before 24 weeks) opted for termination of pregnancy. The only identifiable factor in the decision was attendance of counselling by plastic surgeons.
Conclusion: A multidisciplinary approach with contribution from a plastic surgeon in joint counselling was potentially beneficial to the patients and their families. Advances in early prenatal diagnosis of facial cleft with a significant number of women electing abortion raise serious ethical questions.

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Published

2023-04-04

How to Cite

1.
LAU W, HUI E, LAI F, LO T, CHIN R, LEUNG W, CHEUNG W. Ethical Discussion: Termination of Pregnancy after Prenatal Diagnosis of Cleft Lip in a Chinese Population in Hong Kong. Hong Kong J Gynaecol Obstet Midwifery [Internet]. 2023 Apr. 4 [cited 2024 Oct. 8];13(1). Available from: https://hkjgom.org/home/article/view/143

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