Scientists discuss in 'Ancillary benefits of prenatal maternal serum screening achieved in the California program' new findings in prenatal diagnostics. According to a study from the United States, 'To evaluate the extent of fetal structural abnormalities, other than neural tube and abdominal wall defects (AWDs), identified by California's Prenatal Screening Program. The Quad Marker Prenatal Screening records of 516,172 women were examined for screening interpretation and the diagnosis of structural abnormalities detected via follow-up.'
'Women who were screen-positive for trisomy 21, trisomy 18, neural tube defects (NTDs) or Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) received follow-up services at state-approved Prenatal Diagnosis Centers (PDCs). Detailed reports of services and diagnostic information were linked in a database to the original screening results. A total of 26 323 women received follow-up ultrasound services at the PDCs in the study time period. Of these women, 1085 (4.1%) were identified as having fetuses with significant structural abnormalities, other than NTDs (n=207) or AWDs (n=254). In addition to the structural abnormalities, 225 cases of fetal demise, 4 molar pregnancies, 15 cases of twin-to-twin transfusion, and 92 cases with placental abnormalities were identified. While Prenatal Screening Programs do not explicitly screen for structural abnormalities other than NTDs and AWDs, clearly many other structural abnormalities may be associated with a screen-positive status,' wrote N.N. Kazerouni and colleagues (see also Prenatal Diagnostics).
The researchers concluded: 'Thus, the detection of these additional structural defects can be considered an ancillary program benefit.'
Kazerouni and colleagues published their study in Prenatal Diagnosis (Ancillary benefits of prenatal maternal serum screening achieved in the California program. Prenatal Diagnosis, 2010;30(10):981-7).
For more information, contact N.N. Kazerouni, Genetic Disease Screening Program, California Dept. of Public Health, 850 Marina Bay Parkway, Richmond, CA 94804 USA.
Keywords: City:Richmond, State:CA, Country:United States, Prenatal Diagnostics.
This article was prepared by Health & Medicine Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2010, Health & Medicine Week via NewsRx.com.
