Après l'affaire Perruche

This paper presents the main results of a study conducted in France, after the “Perruche case”, between 2002 and 2004. The objective was to determine how the notion of “prejudicial birth and life” affect the practice of echographists and gyneco-obstetricians. After the “Perruche case”, practitioners have come to fear two effects: the resignation of echographists unwilling to accept responsabilities imposed by law and resorting to medical abortions if there is a slightest doubt about the state of the fetus (even though medical abortion is legally reserved for fetuses with severe disorders). This study confirms one of those two fears: many echographists have decided to stop performing fetal ultrasound exams. One of the consequences is a new inequality toward antenatal diagnosis and, sometimes, a lack of medical care for poorer pregnant women. It was also noted that abortions are increasing for cases with a doubt about the state of the fetus or for fetuses with only a slight disability, but that this is not related to worry about court actions. There are other factors.