Screening of Down’s Syndrome in the 10th-13th Weekof Gestation

Overview

Objective:
The implementation of antenatal screening for Down’s syndrome at 10-13. week usingnuchal translucency, maternal serum free subunit of human chorionic gonadotrophin and themother’s age.Design: Nuchal translucency scan (NT) and serum free beta human chorionic gonadotrophinsubunit (FB hCG) were measured at 283 consecutive pregnant women booked at the same antena-tal care facility between 10-13. gestational week.Setting: Antenatal screening center Klimentska, Prague.Methods: Medians of both markers according to gestational age as well as retrospective combinedrisk of Down’s syndrome were assessed.Results: 95 per cent of NT measurements was below 1.77 multiples of median. 95 per cent of FBhCG measurements was below 1.88 multiples of median. Combined risk higher than 1/300 had1 per cent mothers (total 3 screen positive results).Conclusion: The results of this pilot study serve for implementation of screening for Down’ssyndrome at 10-13. week as well as for integration of both first and second trimester screeningsystems.

Key words:
first trimester, nuchal translucency, free beta hCG, screening for Down’s syndrome