Attitudes and Knowledge of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellows Regarding Noninvasive Prenatal Testing

Abstract

Using cell-free DNA in maternal serum to detect fetal aneuploidy has been shown to have high sensitivity and specificity. The purpose of this study was to assess attitudes and knowledge of Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) fellows regarding noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT). A 13 question survey was sent via listserv to US-based MFM fellows. One hundred sixteen fellows responded, a 42.3 % response rate, with >75 % reporting they are comfortable ordering NIPT. Most (82 %) preferred that a patient discuss options with a provider or genetic counselor. Three common methods used to learn about NIPT were: formal educational activities (n = 78, 69 %), self-review of the literature (n = 76, 67 %), and discussions with peers (n = 73, 65 %). On questions related to trisomy 21, accuracy was >70 %. However, accuracy was lower regarding use in twin pregnancies (42 %) and monosomy X screening (50 %).