Abstract |
The aim of this study was to evaluate the additional value of dimeric inhibin-A serum concentration in second trimester multiple-marker screening tests for pregnancies affected by Down's syndrome. We anticipated that second trimester maternal serum dimeric inhibin-A concentrations would be altered in pregnancies complicated by fetal Down's syndrome and that dimeric inhibin-A would perform better than one of the three substances analysed in the multiple-marker screening test currently in use. A total of 1156 serum samples were screened for dimeric inhibin-A in parallel with the routine classic triple test screening programme performed on a random obstetric population. Classic triple test performance was compared with detection rates obtained after substitution of unconjugated oestriol by inhibin-A and with the performance of inhibin-A and alpha-fetoprotein alone. Absolute dimeric inhibin-A maternal serum concentrations of Down's syndrome pregnancies were indeed significantly higher than those of normal pregnancies in our screened population. The performance of dimeric inhibin-A in combination with the multiple-marker screening test, however, is limited because of its strong correlation with intact human chorionic gonadotrophin.
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Authors | M A Renier, A Vereecken, E Van Herck, D Straetmans, P Ramaekers, P Buytaert |
Journal | Human reproduction (Oxford, England)
(Hum Reprod)
Vol. 13
Issue 3
Pg. 744-8
(Mar 1998)
ISSN: 0268-1161 [Print] England |
PMID | 9572446
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Biomarkers
- Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human
- alpha-Fetoproteins
- Inhibins
- Estriol
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Topics |
- Algorithms
- Biomarkers
- Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human
(blood)
- Dimerization
- Down Syndrome
(blood)
- Estriol
(blood)
- False Positive Reactions
- Female
- Humans
- Inhibins
(blood)
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Trimester, Second
- Prenatal Diagnosis
- Reference Values
- alpha-Fetoproteins
(analysis)
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