Abnormal biochemical serum screening versus 2nd-trimester ultrasound-detected minor anomalies as predictors of aneuploidy in low-risk patients.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the yield of multiple-marker biochemical screening with that of minor fetal anomalies observed on ultrasound for detection of aneuploidy in low-risk patients.


METHODS
The results of 1,073 amniocenteses performed because of abnormal biochemical screening tests were compared against 197 amniocenteses performed for minor anomalies as detected on level II ultrasound at 15-22 weeks of gestation.


RESULTS
False-positive results were observed in about 7% of serum screening patients and in 1.7% of the ultrasound cases. Chromosomally abnormal fetuses were detected in 2% of the amniocenteses performed because of abnormal serum screening and in 2.5% of the cases with ultrasound-defined minor anomalies.


CONCLUSIONS
Both methods identify patients at risk for abnormal karyotypes. Although the evaluation of serum biochemical markers yielded more false-positive results, it is more suitable than ultrasound for mass population screening.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
A
A
Drugan
A
A
Reichler
M
M
Bronstein
M P
MP
Johnson
R J
RJ
Sokol
M I
MI
Evans
D000328:Adult; D000782:Aneuploidy; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood*; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D004964:Estriol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D004964:Estriol