Question

A G5P4 woman comes for routine sonography for the first time. She has had four daughters and wants a boy this time. She asks for sex determination. To be in line with the above-depicted guidelines, what will you choose?

• A. Will check routine ANC and sex for developmental abnormalities and do not reveal gender to the patient
• B. Will check routine ANC and sex for developmental abnormalities and reveal gender to the patient
• C. Reveal gender if a girl
• D. Check only routine ANC, do not check sex

Hint:

Sex determination is not permitted unless there is a valid medical reason for doing so, such as assessing for sex-linked developmental issues.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

In the scenario presented, a G5P4 woman requests sex determination during routine sonography. It's essential to note the ethical and legal guidelines regarding fetal sex determination, especially relevant in countries like India where prenatal sex determination with the intent of identifying the fetus's gender is illegal under the PCPNDT (Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques) Act. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent sex-selective abortions and to address the gender imbalance. Considering these regulations, the most appropriate course of action must be taken.

To address the situation, we should choose:

Will check routine ANC and sex for developmental abnormalities and do not reveal gender to the patient

This option complies with legal and ethical guidelines. Here's the rationale and the steps involved:

• Perform Routine Antenatal Care (ANC): This involves checking the health and development of the fetus to ensure there are no developmental abnormalities. Routine sonography is a part of this process, looking at fetal growth, development, and wellbeing.
• Monitor for Developmental Abnormalities: While conducting the sonography, it's important to check for any abnormalities. This is a standard part of prenatal care and is crucial for early detection of any developmental issues.
• Do Not Reveal Fetal Gender: Adhering to the legal framework, do not disclose the gender of the fetus. This is to prevent any potential misuse of this information, thereby supporting the ethical considerations aimed at protecting the unborn child’s rights.

Implementing this approach ensures compliance with legal requirements and aligns with ethical medical practices, upholding the principle of not promoting gender bias.