Meditation about the screening of Down syndrome.

The more important clinical manifestations and the opportunities of screening of Down syndrome are shortly summerized in this paper. The methods used for screening (biochemical markers, fetal ultrasound signs) and the most important screening tests (combined screening, integrated screening) are shown. Afterwards the author analyses the situation of screening in Hungary, and he underlines that the maternal age over 35 years, as well as the lower level of alfa-fetoprotein in the serum cannot be the only indication of amniocentesis. The first aim should be to increase the detection rate of disease diagnostics and to decrease the number of amniocenteses. Nowadays the most effective screening method is the combined test in the first trimester. The nationwide introduction of this method requires the improvement of personal and material environment of ultrasound diagnostics and the corresponding financial background.

Orv Hetil. 2009 Mar 15;150(11):497-502. Gardó S. Petz Aladár Megyei Oktató Kórház Szülészeti és Nogyógyászati Osztály Gyor Pf. 92. 9002.