Offering fragile X syndrome carrier screening: a prospective mixed-methods observational study comparing carrier screening of pregnant and non-pregnant women in the general population

Key messages
▪ Carrier screening for fragile X syndrome is the subject of debate because of concerns around education and counselling for this complex condition
and the potential for psychosocial harms.
▪ This study will inform policy and practice in the area of population carrier screening by examining psychosocial aspects of screening, including informed decision-making; models of screening, through antenatal care or other access points and health economics of carrier screening for fragile X syndrome.

Strengths and limitations of this study
▪ This study seeks to recruit 1000 women in total. This large sample size will give us sufficient power to address the aims of the study.
▪ Collecting quantitative and qualitative data will provide a more in-depth picture of screening for fragile X syndrome.
▪ A limitation of the study is that the data on models of screening may not be applicable to other countries that have different healthcare systems.