The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

Parents' worried state of mind when fetal ultrasound shows an unexpected finding: a comparative study.

På svenska

Author

Summary, in English

OBJECTIVE: Most parents yearn for a second-trimester ultrasound examination and feel excitement about it, but some also worry about what the examination will show. According to prior research, using only generic instruments or specific questionnaires, anxiety decreases when the ultrasound findings are normal. The aim of this study was to compare parents' worry (Parents' Expectations, Experiences, and Reactions to Ultrasound [PEER-U] State of Mind Index) and sense of coherence before and after a routine second-trimester ultrasound examination when it showed normal or abnormal findings. METHODS: A 1-year cohort study was performed at a Swedish university hospital. A total of 2049 parents who had their second-trimester ultrasound examinations there filled in a questionnaire consisting of 2 parts before and after the examinations. RESULTS: Parents with normal ultrasound findings were less worried than parents with abnormal findings. The group with normal findings also showed less worry after the examination than before. A sex analysis showed similar patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Parents with abnormal ultrasound findings are more worried and anxious. The new instrument, the PEER-U State of Mind Index, not only measures parents' worry but can also expose what influences their ultrasound examination experience.

Publishing year

2009

Language

English

Pages

1663-1670

Publication/Series

Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine

Volume

28

Issue

12

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine

Topic

  • Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1550-9613