Prenatal screening for Down's Syndrome with use of maternal serum markers

Article Abstract:

Measuring three different biochemical markers after amniocentesis rather than one raised the level of detecting fetal Down's syndrome from 35% to 58%. Detection rate was slightly less for low risk mothers, 56%, than for high risk mothers, 60%. Amniotic fluid was evaluated for 962 women and adolescents in the second trimester of pregnancy. Fluid was tested for levels of chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and estriol plus the usual serum alpha-fetoprotein. The concentration of HCG is two times greater than normal and unconjugated estriol levels 25% lower than normal in mothers pregnant with Down's syndrome babies. The reasons serum levels are different for Down's syndrome mothers are unknown.

Birth defects

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Screening of maternal serum for fetal Down's syndrome in the first trimester

Article Abstract:

Down's syndrome may be detected by maternal blood tests during the first trimester of pregnancy. Tests for this form of mental retardation are usually performed in the second trimester. Researchers performed blood tests and fetal chromosomal analysis in 4,412 older pregnant women. Forty-eight of 61 fetuses affected by Down's syndrome were detected by blood testing before 14 weeks gestation. Blood tests for low levels of pregnancy-associated protein A and elevated serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), along with maternal age, detected Down's syndrome in about 60% of cases.

Measurement, Pregnancy proteins, Chorionic gonadotropin, Chorionic gonadotropins

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Maternal thyroid deficiency during pregnancy and subsequent neuropsychological development of the child

Article Abstract:

All pregnant women should be screened for thyroid deficiency. Researchers measured the level of thyroid hormones in blood samples taken from pregnant women up to 10 years prior. Sixty-two women had low levels, a condition called hypothyroidism. Compared to 124 women who had normal levels during pregnancy, the 7- to 9-year-old children of the women with hypothyroidism scored lower on 15 tests of intelligence, language, reading ability, school performance and visual-motor performance. Nineteen percent had IQ scores of 85 or less.

Health aspects, Usage, Child development, Hypothyroidism, Neuropsychological tests for children, Childhood neuropsychological tests

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