A prospective two years study of first trimester screening for Down syndrome.

Introduction: Nowadays maternal age of pregnant women has increased in most developed countries. The rate of women above 35 years old constitutes about 15% of pregnancies.

Aim: The aim of our study is to prove that by first trimester screening, the number of women who have indication for invasive prenatal diagnostic procedure is significantly reduced.

Biochemical screening for Down syndrome in pregnancies following renal transplantation.

Objective: To assess the performance of the double marker test [free beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-hCG) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)] as a screening test for Down syndrome in pregnant patients who had a prior renal transplant.

Design: A retrospective study.

Setting: The Fetal Medicine Unit, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.

Detailed three-dimensional fetal echocardiography facilitated by an Internet link.

Objectives: To assess whether a complete virtual cardiological examination can be achieved in stored three-dimensional volumes of the fetal heart, transmitted to a tertiary fetal cardiology center via the Internet.

Methods: Thirty sequential normal singleton pregnancies were included in the study. Four cardiac volumes were acquired using a three-dimensional ultrasound system.