J Genet Med.  2008 Jun;5(1):7-14.

The recent trend of prenatal screening

• Hwang D

Abstract

Twenty years have passed since a prenatal screening for Down syndrome and neural tube defect was applied to obstetric field. The Quad test (AFP, hCG, uE3, Inhibin-A) of the second trimester and the combination test (PAPP-A, hCG, NT) of the first trimester became popular now. The recent trend of prenatal screening is to combine these two screening tests together in order to increase a detection rate of Down syndrome. Three types of screening methods are introduced as follows; integrated test, sequential test and contingent test. In addition to combination of each test, an incorporation of characteristic ultrasound findings of Down syndrome is suggested for its risk calculation. The absence of fetal nasal bone would be a very useful marker especially in the first trimester screening test. According to a change of way calculating risk of Down syndrome, obstetrician's role will be more increased not by passive participation, but by active participation using ultrasound in risk calculation.

Keyword

Prenatal screening

MeSH Terms

Adenine
Carbamates
Deoxycytidine
Down Syndrome
Drug Combinations
Female
Humans
Mass Screening
Nasal Bone
Neural Tube Defects
Organophosphonates
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, First
Pregnancy Trimester, Second
Prenatal Diagnosis
Quinolones
Thiazoles
Elvitegravir, Cobicistat, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Drug Combination
Adenine
Carbamates
Deoxycytidine
Drug Combinations
Organophosphonates
Quinolones
Thiazoles