Prevalence of isolated non-albumin proteinuria in the US population tested for both, urine total protein and urine albumin: An unexpected discovery.

Background: Isolated non-albumin proteinuria (NAP) is a condition when urine total protein concentrations are elevated without elevation of urine albumin. The prevalence of NAP in the US population tested for both, urine total protein and albumin was assessed in this study.

Methods: The database of a US nationwide laboratory network was queried for test results when random urine albumin was ordered together with urine total protein and also when timed 24-hour urine albumin was ordered together with urine total protein.

Quality assessment of routine nuchal translucency measurements: a North American laboratory perspective.

Purpose: To assess nuchal translucency measurements that were performed as part of routine prenatal screening for Down syndrome.

Methods: Collect ultrasound measurements of nuchal translucency and crown rump length provided by individual sonographers over a 6-month period to six North American prenatal screening laboratories, along with the laboratory's nuchal translucency interpretation in multiples of the median. For sonographers with 50 or more observations, compute three nuchal translucency quality measures (medians, standard deviations, and slopes), based on epidemiological monitoring.

Correlation of second-trimester sonographic and biochemical markers.

Objectives: To investigate correlations between sonographic soft markers and biochemical markers (human chorionic gonadotrophin, alpha-fetoprotein, and estriol) for Down syndrome in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Methods: A total of 2183 women with apparently normal singleton fetuses who underwent second-trimester sonography (14-22 weeks) and maternal serum biochemical testing (triple test) were identified. Seven sonographic markers were recorded: nuchal fold thickness, humerus length, femur length, renal pyelectasis, hyperechoic bowel, echogenic intracardiac focus, and choroid plexus cysts.

Correlation of ultrasound findings and biochemical markers in the second trimester of pregnancy in fetuses with trisomy 21.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess possible correlations between ultrasound findings and maternal serum biochemical ('triple test') markers among fetuses with trisomy 21 in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Methods: The study was a retrospective cohort study of 72 pregnancies affected by trisomy 21 who had a second trimester ultrasound and biochemical screen performed at a single center between 1990 and 1999. The biochemical screen consisted of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), total beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and estriol (uE(3)).