Fetal medicine in an unselected pregnant population

To determine the proportion of an unselected pregnant population referred to a Fetal Medicine Unit, we undertook an observational time-limited cohort study. Of 530 pregnant women booked for delivery at our hospital and with a local postcode in the local District Health Authority, 81 (15.3%) were referred to the Fetal Medicine Unit at least once. The average number of fetal medicine visits was 1.5, a rate of 22 per 100 pregnancies. The indications for referral were assessed as appropriate for all but 2 cases. In 3 cases (0.6%), major genetic diseases were prevented by termination of pregnancy.