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MRI for Fetal Developmental Brain Abnormalities: Perspectives From the Pregnant Patient

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Mabel LieORCiD, Dr Ruth Graham, Professor Steve RobsonORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0).


Abstract

Ultrasound is routinely used as a prenatal screening and diagnostic tool but haslimitations. Some anomalies in the developing fetal brain can be difficult to detect, andin utero MRI (iuMRI) is increasingly used as an adjunct to ultrasound. However,understandings of patient perspectives of iuMRI technology are still developing. Ourqualitative study of 41 mothers who experienced iuMRI was embedded in a diagnosticaccuracy trial, and aimed to inform policy recommendations that might stem from theclinical findings. Our analysis suggests that iuMRI is seen as useful, offering valuableadditional information, and helping women make decisions about care options at adifficult time. However, patients’ experiences demonstrated the uncertainty and anxietyassociated with the prenatal diagnosis (PND) process relating to brain anomaliesincluding the challenges of their embodied contributions. Our findings suggest morecould be done to reduce the impact on pregnant women during an already difficult,anxious period.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Lie ML, Graham RH, Robson SC, Griffith PD

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Qualitative Health Research

Year: 2018

Volume: 28

Issue: 8

Pages: 1295-1307

Print publication date: 01/07/2018

Online publication date: 26/03/2018

Acceptance date: 14/02/2018

Date deposited: 15/02/2018

ISSN (print): 0021-9193

ISSN (electronic): 1098-5530

Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732318764390

DOI: 10.1177/1049732318764390


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