Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41360463›Full record

Observational studyBMJ open2025

Changes in attitudes towards prenatal diagnosis for haemoglobinopathies: a 40-year retrospective observational study in Northern Italy.

Vincenzo Voi, Noemi Giordano, Veronica Sciannameo, Andrea Sciarrone, Luca Sbaiz, Marco Barberis, Cristina Curcio, Milena Agata Irrera, Antonella Roetto, Antonio Piga and 2 more

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Vincenzo Voi *Thalassemia Centre, San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano, Piedmont, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7249-2735
Noemi Giordano *Thalassemia Centre, San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano, Piedmont, Italy.
Veronica SciannameoUniversity of Turin, Turin, Piedmont, Italy.
Andrea SciarroneObstetrics and Gynaecological Ultrasound and Prenatal Diagnosis Centre, Sant'Anna Obstetric and Gynecological Hospital, Turin, Piedmont, Italy.
Luca SbaizLaboratory of Genetics, Department of Clinical Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Piedmont, Italy.
Marco BarberisLaboratory of Genetics, Department of Clinical Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Piedmont, Italy.
Cristina CurcioMedical Genetics Laboratory, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
Milena Agata IrreraMedical Genetics Laboratory, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
Antonella RoettoUniversity of Turin Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Orbassano, Piedmont, Italy.
Antonio PigaThalassemia Centre, San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano, Piedmont, Italy.
Daniela Francesca GiachinoUniversity of Turin Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Orbassano, Piedmont, Italy.
Giorgia MandrileThalassemia Centre, San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano, Piedmont, Italy giorgia.mandrile@unito.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0849-2225

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesTo analyse demographic trends and decision-making patterns regarding prenatal diagnosis (PND) in couples at risk for hereditary haemoglobinopathies at the Thalassemia and Rare Haematological Disease Centre in Turin over a 40-year period.

designRetrospective observational study analysing demographic and clinical data from 1983 to 2023.

settingTertiary care genetic service Centre in Orbassano (TO), Northern Italy.

participantsCouples seeking genetic counselling and PND for hereditary haemoglobinopathies. Selection criteria included couples at risk of having children affected by β-thalassaemia major or Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).

main outcome measuresPrimary outcomes included acceptance rates of PND and pregnancy termination (TOP). Variables analysed included couples' age at first consultation, age at first PND, birthplace, employment status, specific haemoglobinopathy risk and number of pregnancies.

resultsThe analysis identified three main factors influencing PND and TOP decisions: nationality, type of haemoglobinopathy risk and number of previous pregnancies. Age showed no significant correlation with decision-making patterns. The impact of education level and employment status could not be definitively determined due to unavailable or unfit data.

conclusionsThe 40-year analysis of prenatal diagnosis for haemoglobinopathies in Turin shows evolving trends influenced by immigration patterns, improved medical treatments and cultural factors, leading to increased acceptance of affected pregnancies in recent years, particularly after 2015, due to better disease management and comprehensive healthcare support. This comprehensive analysis of our centre's experience provides valuable insights that can serve as a model for similar institutions worldwide in supporting couples through carrier screening and PND processes.

Indexed as

HemoglobinopathiesPrenatal DiagnosisAdultDecision MakingFemaleGenetic CounselingHumansItalyMalePregnancyRetrospective StudiesGENETICSHAEMATOLOGYPrenatal diagnosis

Identifiers

PMID41360463
PMCPMC12684215

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.