Summary:
Objective: The implementation of antenatal screening for Down’s syndrome at 10-13. week using
nuchal translucency, maternal serum free subunit of human chorionic gonadotrophin and the
mother’s age.
Design: Nuchal translucency scan (NT) and serum free beta human chorionic gonadotrophin
subunit (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 combined
risk of Down’s syndrome were assessed.
Results: 95 per cent of NT measurements was below 1.77 multiples of median. 95 per cent of FB
hCG measurements was below 1.88 multiples of median. Combined risk higher than 1/300 had
1 per cent mothers (total 3 screen positive results).
Conclusion: The results of this pilot study serve for implementation of screening for Down’s
syndrome at 10-13. week as well as for integration of both first and second trimester screening
systems.
Key words:
first trimester, nuchal translucency, free beta hCG, screening for Down’s syndrome
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