Genetic screening, information and counselling in Austria

Abstract

Since the majority of women who are pregnant deliver their babies in hospital, screening of newborn there presents no difficulties. Screening however is also carried out in those born at home, so that all babies are examined and tested. This, like other pre-natal, neo-natal and paediatric services is greatly facilitated by the mother-child passport into which the results of all examinations, tests, and inoculations are entered. Financial inducements, together with the normal maternal desire to act in the best interests of the child, ensure virtual 100% coverage — a mother receives a monetary grant when the child is born and at regular intervals afterwards provided the passport shows that she has attended for the required ante-natal and post-natal examinations and care checks up to the third year.