Awareness of prenatal genetic tests and attitude towards termination of pregnancy regarding fetal congenital heart defects among clinicians in China: a multi-center cross-sectional study

Background: This study was aim to figure out the level of awareness about providing genetic tests and the attitude towards termination of pregnancy (TOP) regarding fetal congenital heart defects (CHD) among clinicians in China. Methods: : A total of 501 clinicians were divided into 2 groups: clinicians whose working hospital were available of prenatal genetic service were assigned into group 1, whose working hospital were not available of prenatal genetic service were assigned to group 2. The level of awareness and the attitude were evaluated according to scores of a questionnaire. Results: : Among the 501 total clinicians, only 27.94% received a high score and 53.09% received a medium score, indicating a low level of awareness about prenatal genetic tests among clinicians. 31.62% clinicians in group 1, but only 24.19% in group 2 showed good awareness of providing genetic tests (P=0.023). About 44.3% of clinicians in group 1, but only by 29.4% of those in group 2 held optimistic attitudes towards minor CHDs and were less favor of TOP in minor CHDs (P=0.023). Conclusion: Prenatal genetic tests and counseling in hospital are necessary and should be improved in the management of fetal CHD in China.