Abstract
Prenatal diagnosis (PND) in Germany is well established. A wide spectrum of sonographic, cytogenetic, molecular and biochemical investigations can be chosen by pregnant women. While sonographic examinations are offered to all pregnant women, the methods requiring invasive procedures are performed predominantly when there is a higher risk than in the general population. However, PND is also performed on request by the mother in the absence of an increased risk. Pretest genetic counselling is recommended before invasive techniques. PND is performed in public as well as in private settings. Guidelines are in effect for specialisation of gynaecologists and human geneticists. Quality assessment for cytogenetic and molecular laboratories is performed on a voluntary basis. Since October 1995, termination of pregnancies is regulated by a new law.
Similar content being viewed by others
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
References
Stengel-Rutkowski S, Linse B, Brandmaier R, Hansen-Kube H (eds): Prenatal Diagnosis of Genetic Defects. Final Report. Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, München 1992.
Stengel-Rutkowski S (ed): Early prenatal diagnostics. Hamburg, Kovac, 1995.
Braulke I, Rauskolb R: Blutuntersuchung bei Schwangeren zur pränatalen Diagnostik von Chromosomenanomalien und Neuralrohrdefekten (sog. Triple-Test). Frauenarzt 1995;36: 96–99.
Sperling K, Pelz J, Wegner R-D, Dörries A, Grüters A, Mikkelsen M: Significant increase in trisomy 21 in Berlin nine months after the Chernobyl reactor accident: Temporal correlation or causal relation? BMJ 1994;309:158–162.
Hennen L, Petermann T, Schmitt JJ (eds): TAB-Bericht: Genetische Diagnostik. Berlin, Sigma, 1996.
Acknowledgments
We acknowledge the kind contribution of data from the Berlin Cytogenetic Registry (Prof. K. Sperling, Dr. J. Pelz) and the Berlin Hospital Infant Mortality Registry (Prof. M. Obladen). Considerable support in data collection came also from Dr. J.E. Lunsdorf, Prof. Dr. A. Rempen, Prof. Dr. H. Schillinger, PD Dr. T. Schramm, Prof. Dr. T. Schroeder-Kurth, Prof. Dr. R. Terinde and Dr. H. Weichmann.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wegner, R.D., Becker, R. Prenatal Diagnosis in Germany. Eur J Hum Genet 5 (Suppl 1), 32–38 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03405958
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03405958
