Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening: a cost-benefit analysis. Am J Public Health 1979 Jun;69(6):566-73
Date
06/01/1979Pubmed ID
87134Pubmed Central ID
PMC1618991DOI
10.2105/ajph.69.6.566Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0018704555 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 34 CitationsAbstract
The prenatal detection of fetal neural tube defects (NTD) is now possible by means of a multi-tiered program utilizing maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening coupled with ultrasonography and amniocentesis where indicated. This paper considers the economic consequences of screening for fetal NTD a theoretical cohort of 100,000 pregnant women at risk of having an affected fetus who would elect to terminate their pregnancies if an affected fetus were found. The cost of the program was balanced against the benefits of the program, such as the averted costs of institutionalization, medical care, and the like. The total cost of the program to screen 100,000 such women was calculated to be $2,047,780, or slightly over $20 per woman screened, while the total economic benefits exceeded $4,000,000.
Author List
Layde PM, von Allmen SD, Oakley GP JrMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AmniocentesisCost-Benefit Analysis
Female
Humans
Mass Screening
National Health Programs
Neural Tube Defects
Pregnancy
Prenatal Diagnosis
Risk
Ultrasonography
United Kingdom
United States
alpha-Fetoproteins
