Down Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Down Syndrome, including details on education, symptoms, treatment, information.

Down syndrome screening in twins.

Bush MC, Malone FD

Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Irvine, 101 The City Drive, Orange, CA 92868, USA. melissacbush@hotmail.com

Available methods for screening for Down syndrome (DS) in twin gestations include maternal age, first-trimester nuchal translucency, first-trimester combined screening, second-trimester genetic sonography, second-trimester quad screening, and combinations of tests across different gestational ages. Biochemical screening is generally associated with detection rates at least 15% less than in singleton pregnancies. Nuchal translucency measurement may help close that gap, but the best available data (based on modeling) show approximately 75% to 85% detection rates for DS, with a 5% false-positive rate. Patients accepting screening should be aware of all options should a diagnosis of fetal aneuploidy be confirmed, including pregnancy continuation, termination of the entire pregnancy, and selective termination of an aneuploid fetus.

Published 30 May 2005 in Clin Perinatol, 32(2): 373-86, vi.
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