Effect of a new marker, ADAM12, on Down risk figures in first trimester screening.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether incorporating the measurement of ADAM12 in the risk calculation program LifeCycle, can improve Down screening in the first trimester.


METHODS
In a retrospective case control study, maternal serum ADAM12 concentrations were measured and compared in Down syndrome cases (n = 53) and in controls (n = 226) obtained from first trimester (9-12 weeks) screening samples in Oulu and Kuopio University Hospitals. Median concentration ( microg/l), observed and regressed (weight corrected) MoMs of ADAM12 were calculated.


RESULTS
There was a significant difference in ADAM12 levels between Downs and controls during the pregnancy weeks 9 + 0 to 10 + 6, but not thereafter. By adding ADAM12 to the marker set used in the risk calculation program, one screening false negative Down syndrome case occurred in the affected population, which did not alter false positive rate.


CONCLUSIONS
Adding ADAM12 as a parameter in Down screening did not cause radical changes in the risk value. The test might be useful at 9 and 10 weeks in which it might have the potential to improve the performance of the risk assessment especially for women receiving a result close to the high-risk cut-off. The real influence of ADAM12 remains to be elucidated in larger studies incorporating ADAM12 to the risk calculation program.
Valinen
Yrtti
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oulu University Hospital, Finland.
Laitinen
Paivi
P
Ranta
Jenni
J
Ignatius
Jaakko
J
Jarvela
Ilkka
I
Ryynänen
Markku
M
D051722:ADAM Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D000072199:ADAM12 Protein; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000097:blood*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051722:ADAM Proteins; D000072199:ADAM12 Protein; C000606480:ADAM12 protein, human