home   genetic news   bioinformatics   biotechnology   literature   journals   ethics   positions   events   sitemap
 
  HUM-MOLGEN -> Genetic News | search  
 

Sequential Down Syndrome Screening: The Importance of First and Second TrimesterTest Correlations when Calculating Risk

 
  February, 14 2006 10:42
your information resource in human molecular genetics
 
     
Sequential Down Syndrome Screening: The Importance of First and Second TrimesterTest Correlations when Calculating Risk

Journal of Genetic Counseling
(Published online: 30 December 2005)

Authors:
Peter Benn (1) and Alan E. Donnenfeld (2)

Author Affiliations:

(1) Division of Human Genetics, Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut
(2) Genzyme Genetics, 833 Chestnut Street Suite 1250, Philadelphia, 19107, Pennsylvania

Abstract:

Down syndrome screening can be particularly effective when both first and second trimester tests are performed. However, the counseling of women who have received sequential first and second trimester screening can be problematic. We evaluated an approximation where the post-test risk from the first trimester screening is used as the new a priori risk for the second trimester screening. The approximation disregards between-trimester test correlations. The Down syndrome detection rate based on the approximation (90.2%) would be close to that obtained when all correlations were considered (90.8%) but the false positive rate would be 26% higher (3.9% versus 3.1%, respectively). For any particular woman, the use of the approximation could result in highly inaccurate risks. We conclude that the correlations that exist between first and second trimester screening tests preclude the use of second trimester risks derived from the direct product of separate first and second trimester screening. Counseling issues in the delivery of sequential screening are discussed. Keywords first trimester screening - second trimester screening - Down syndrome - sequential screening.
Author Contact:

Alan E. Donnenfeld
Email: alan.donnenfeld@genzyme.com

(C) Journal of Genetic Counseling

Posted by: Tressie Dalaya


Message posted by: Trevor M. D'Souza

print this article mail this article
Latest News
Variants Associated with Pediatric Allergic Disorder

Mutations in PHF6 Found in T-Cell Leukemia

Genetic Risk Variant for Urinary Bladder Cancer

Antibody Has Therapeutic Effect on Mice with ALS

Regulating P53 Activity in Cancer Cells

Anti-RNA Therapy Counters Breast Cancer Spread

Mitochondrial DNA Diversity

The Power of RNA Sequencing

‘Pro-Ageing' Therapy for Cancer?

Niche Genetics Influence Leukaemia

Molecular Biology: Clinical Promise for RNA Interference

Chemoprevention Cocktail for Colon Cancer

more news ...

Generated by News Editor 2.0 by Kai Garlipp
WWW: Kai Garlipp, Frank S. Zollmann.
7.0 © 1995-2023 HUM-MOLGEN. All rights reserved. Liability, Copyright and Imprint.