Abstract

GERULEWICZ-VANNINI, Donatella  and  HERNANDEZ-ANDRADE, Edgar. Screening for chromosomal fetal defects and pregnancy associated complications by using maternal serum biochemical markers. Perinatol. Reprod. Hum. [online]. 2005, vol.19, n.2, pp.94-117. ISSN 2524-1710.

Maternal serum screening for chromosomal abnormalities in the first and second trimester of pregnancy, offers the possibility to identify cases with an increased risk for fetal chromosomal defects. The combination of the serum screening and ultrasound findings increases the detection rate for fetal chromosomal abnormalities up to 85%. This screening can be applied to all pregnant women disregarding their age, and in women over 35 years of age, the detection rate can reach 90%,thus reducing the number of invasive procedures and the related risk of miscarriage. Abnormal values of each individual biochemical marker can also be associated with several fetal structural abnormalities, growth restriction, preterm delivery or stillbirth and, in the mother to the risk of developing preeclampsia.

Keywords : Prenatal diagnosis; chromosomal abnormalities; maternal serum biochemistry; pregnancy-associated complications.

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