BACKGROUND ADAM 12 is a placenta-derived glycoprotein that is involved in growth and differentiation. The maternal serum concentration of ADAM 12 is a potential first-trimester maternal serum marker of Down syndrome (DS). Here we examine the potential of ADAM 12 as a second-trimester maternal serum marker of DS. MATERIALS AND METHODS The concentration of ADAM 12 was determined in gestational ...

From January 1st 2013 to August 31st 2016, 24408 pregnant women received the first trimester Combined test and contingently offered second trimester maternal serum screening to identify those women who would most benefit from invasive prenatal diagnosis (IPD). The screening was based on first trimester cut-offs of ≥1:30 (IPD indicated), 1:31 to 1:899 (second trimester screening indicated) and ≤...

Genetic ultrasonography refers to the evaluation of risk of chromosomal abnormalities via various soft sonographic markers. Although the maternal serum test is the primary screening method for chromosomal abnormalities, genetic ultrasonography is also widely used and can help increase detection rates. To date, many soft markers, including choroid plexus cysts, echogenic intracardiac foci, mild ...

Objective: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic complication during pregnancy. So, a large number of studies have evaluated the usefulness of different screening tests. The aim of this study was focused on the potential of only first-trimester screening used in the prediction of GDM. Materials and Methods: In this systematic review, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, and S...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential value of combined screening by maternal characteristics and medical history (maternal factors), estimated fetal weight (EFW), uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and serum levels of placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) at 30-34 weeks' gestation in the prediction of delivery of sm...

Nuchal translucency (NT) thickness is utilized as a screening test in prenatal assessment of risk of aneuploidy in the first trimester. This test is performed between 11.0-13.9 weeks gestational age, corresponding to a crown-rump length (CRL) of 45-84mm. Alone, or in combination with maternal serum analytes of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and beta human chorionic gonadotropin ...

BACKGROUND Second-trimester cell-free fetal DNA (studied only in pregnancies with male fetuses) is higher in maternal serum samples from women carrying Down syndrome fetuses than in unaffected pregnancies. In this study we evaluated the potential performance of fetal DNA as a screening marker for Down syndrome. METHODS Data on maternal serum fetal DNA concentrations and the corresponding conc...

BACKGROUND Screening for trisomy 21 by a combination of maternal age, fetal nuchal translucency (NT) thickness and maternal serum free beta-hCG and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) at 11 to 14 weeks of gestation is associated with a detection rate of 90% for a false-positive rate of 5%. Recent evidence suggests that in about 70% of fetuses with trisomy 21, the nasal bone is not vi...

OBJECTIVE To compare the effectiveness of different screening policies for the antenatal detection of Down's syndrome. DESIGN Retrospective six year survey. SETTING Maternity units of eight districts. PARTICIPANTS Women who completed their pregnancies between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1999 (155 501 deliveries). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Cases of Down's syndrome identified before 24 wee...

OBJECTIVES To investigate whether the addition of maternal serum placental growth factor (PlGF) measured at 19-24 weeks' gestation improves the performance of screening for stillbirth that is achieved by a combination of maternal factors, fetal biometry and uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI) and to evaluate the performance of screening with this model for all stillbirths and those due to...