The aim of this study was to assess the anxiety levels, worry, the experiences and feelings of mothers on learning of the presence of renal dilation or choroid plexus cysts in her fetus on her 19-week antenatal ultrasound scan.

Methods: One hundred and twelve mothers were recruited at the 19-week ultrasound scan. Three groups of mothers were followed until the babies were 8 weeks old: fetus with renal dilation (R) 2) fetus with isolated choroid plexus cyst (CPC) 3) mothers with low-lying placenta (LLP) as a comparison to the soft marker group. Postal questionnaires were sent at 22 and 32 weeks antenatally and 4 and 8 weeks postnatally. Data included the Speilberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Cambridge Worry Scale, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, ultrasonographer's reports of mother's anxiety, adjective checklists and maternal reports of infant behavior.

Results: Seven babies with renal dilation needed follow-up, and there were no babies born with chromosomal abnormalities. Mothers in all groups were not prepared for bad news in 19 weeks, and mothers in R and CPC group were more worried than the LLP mothers. The CPC group had the most negative reaction to the scan. Mothers received little support or information about the conditions, but their community mid-wife was the most helpful professional. The worry was reduced at 32 weeks, and dropped sharply after the birth of the baby. Postnatally, three babies needed operations and 18% need hospital treatment. In retrospect, mothers were disturbed by the news at 19 weeks and some felt that they had been prevented from having a happy pregnancy.

Other collaborators: Ms. Sylvia Bishop, Dr. Odile Dewit, Mr. Gerald Hackett, Dr. Janet Rennie, and Professor Martin Richards.

For further information please contact Dr. Joanna Hawthorne at jth20@cus.cam.ac.uk