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.

Nasal bone assessment in prenatal screening for trisomy 21.

Sonek JD, Cicero S, Neiger R, Nicolaides KH

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ohio State University, Dayton, OH, USA.

A small nose is a common facial feature of individuals with trisomy 21. Evidence based on radiologic, histomorphologic, and sonographic studies shows that nasal bone abnormalities are significantly more common in trisomy 21 fetuses than in euploid fetuses. These abnormalities, which include both nasal bone absence and short nasal bone length, can be detected by prenatal ultrasound. In this article we review the evidence and discuss the potential value of assessment of the fetal nasal bone in screening for trisomy 21.

Published 31 October 2006 in Am J Obstet Gynecol, 195(5): 1219-30.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Down Syndrome Research Today. All Rights Reserved.