engleski

Prospective study of prenatal screening for Down's syndrome and neural tube deffect using alpha-fetoprotein and free beta-chorionic gonadotropin as markers

OBJECTIVE: This study is created to evaluate the effectiveness of a screening programme for Down's syndrome (DS) that uses maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MS-AFP) and free beta-hCG as markers. STUDY DESIGN: 816 women aging from 20-45 years were screened between 13-22 weeks' gestation, The calculation of individual risks was performed by a specifis computer software using biochemical markers related to the gestational week and referred to the age related risk. A patient was considered screen-positive for DS if the final calculated risk was >/= 1:250 ; MS-AFP MoM >/= 2, 0 was considered screen-positive for an open neural-tube defect. RESULTS: 67 womenn (8, 2%) were identified as at increased risk for Down's syndrome on the basis of screening solely, 62 of them underwent amniocentesis. 102 women were offered the screening prior to the amniocentesis to which they were submitted for their age or other individual risks. 5 fetuses with Down's syndrome were identified prenatally and confirmed by amniotic cell karyotyping. Additionally, several other abnormalities were indentified. All pregnancies were followed up in order to evaluate the perinatal outcome. CONCLUSION: Based on current results we believe that this concept of screening gives us an encouraging possibility fo improving the programme of antenatal care.

Down's syndrome biochemical screening

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