Randomised controlled trial comparing three methods of presenting risk of Down's syndrome

To compare three simple methods of presenting information to patients about the risk of Down's syndrome.

Randomised controlled trial of 150 " low risk" women booking for antenatal care before 19 weeks gestation at Sunderland Royal Hospital. After informing the women about the purpose of the study and reassuring them that they were "low risk", each patient was given a questionnaire, which used one of three different methods (graphic, written and interactive) to present information about the risk of Down's syndrome. A visual analogue scale allowed us to assess their level of understanding and anxiety before and after the information about risk was given to them.

All three methods significantly altered patients' perception and anxiety about the risk of Down's syndrome. The interactive method was found to be the most effective of the three.

This pilot study suggests that discussing the patients' worries about fetal anomalies with medical staff can markedly reduce their degree of anxiety. The interactive method was most effective at putting information across to the patient. It significantly reduced their level of anxiety as well as their overall worry about pregnancy.