Influence of ethnic origin on nuchal translucency screening for Down's syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the influence of ethnic origin on access to and equity of nuchal translucency screening for Down's syndrome in a multiethnic population.


METHODS
An observational study in a district general hospital with a large multiethnic population.


METHODS
1944 women attending at a hospital antenatal clinic.


METHODS
First-trimester fetal nuchal translucency measurements at 10-14 weeks in women from different ethnic groups.


RESULTS
The racial origin of the screened population was not significantly different from that of the population attending for initial antenatal examination. Multiple regression analysis showed a small but significant difference in nuchal translucency measurement between fetuses of different ethnic origin.


CONCLUSIONS
Nuchal translucency screening can be effectively and equitably delivered to a multiethnic population. Although there are significant differences in nuchal translucency measurement between ethnic groups, these differences are too small to require correction when nuchal translucency is used to screen for Down's syndrome.
Thilaganathan
B
B
Feto-Maternal Medicine Unit, Homerton Hospital, St. Bartholomew's and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, UK.
Khare
M
M
Williams
B
B
Wathen
N C
NC
D044466:Asian People; D044383:Black People; D018568:Crown-Rump Length; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D009333:Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D044465:White People