Down Syndrome Birth Rate Lower After Screening

In Denmark, first-trimester screening seemed to lower the number of prenatal diagnostic procedures and halve the number of infants born with Down syndrome.

In 2004, the Danish National Board of Health recommended that pregnant women be offered first-trimester Down syndrome risk assessment based on maternal age, nuchal translucency, and a double test consisting of serum-free β-human chorionic gonadotropin and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (similar first-trimester screening is recommended in the U.S. [JW Womens Health Mar 8 2007]). Chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis was recommended for women with calculated risks above 1:250 to 1:400 (cutoffs varied by county).

Now, analysis of Danish national health data from 2000 through 2006 shows that the proportion of Down syndrome cases diagnosed prenatally rose from 53% to 79% and the number of invasive diagnostic procedures was halved duri…

Reviewing Author

Wendy S. Biggs, MD

Down Syndrome Birth Rate Lower After Screening

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Reviewing Author