First-trimester serum PAPP-A and fβ-hCG concentrations and other maternal characteristics to establish logistic regression-based predictive rules for adverse pregnancy outcome.

Objective: To determine the clinical relevance of maternal characteristics and first-trimester serum concentrations of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and free beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (fβ-hCG) in predicting placenta-related complications, miscarriage and preterm delivery. DESIGN, SETTING AND POPULATION: A historical cohort study of data of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment of first-trimester screening tests performed between July 2002 and May 2006 was done. Data from 28 566 (64.

Lack of standardization in determining gestational age for prenatal screening.

Objectives: To determine whether estimation of gestational age (GA) in the context of first-trimester Down syndrome screening is standardized in the Netherlands.

Methods: This was a retrospective study, carried out between January 2005 and December 2006, of women who underwent first-trimester Down syndrome screening (n = 40,730) based on GA, maternal serum analysis and nuchal translucency (NT) measurement. Date of the last menstrual period (LMP), dating scan information including measurement of crown-rump length (CRL), NT thickness and name of the sonographer were recorded for all pregnancies.

Multi-centre first-trimester screening for Down syndrome in the Netherlands in routine clinical practice.

Objectives: This is the first report on the results of a first-trimester combined-test screening programme in the Netherlands in a multi-centre routine clinical setting.

Methods: Between July 2002 and May 2004, blood samples were taken from subjects in 44 centres in the Netherlands and sent to our laboratory to assay for maternal serum concentrations of fbeta-hCG and PAPP-A. Fetal nuchal translucency (NT) was measured in the participating centres at a gestational age (GA) of 10-14 weeks.