title: Is there any effect of fetal gender on the markers of first trimester Down's syndrome screening?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  At present, the most effective trisomy 21-screening method is the estimate of risk combining maternal age, fetal nuchal translucency, beta-hCG and pregnancy-associated PAPP-A.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effect of fetal gender in first trimester Down's syndrome screening markers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prenatal Diagnosis Centre in a tertiary hospital in Lagos.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of a total of 350 pregnancies in which fetal nuchal translucency and maternal serum free beta-hCG and PAPP-A were performed were included in this study. These markers were investigated to see if they differed on the basis of fetal gender.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PAPP-A levels were higher in female fetuses although the difference was not statistically significant. Nuchal translucency was 0.099 mm more in male fetuses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that first trimester markers differ on gender but are of no clinical significance, confirming the result of other authors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria. prenataldiagnosiscentre@hotmail.com
authors.forename: G O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Ajayi
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers