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Prenatal diagnosis and Down's syndrome: PART 1. Review of possible procedures
Author(s) -
Steele Jonathan
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
mental handicap research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1468-3148
pISSN - 0952-9608
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-3148.1991.tb00098.x
Subject(s) - chorionic villus sampling , amniocentesis , prenatal diagnosis , medicine , obstetrics , ultrasonography , pregnancy , fetus , surgery , biology , genetics
There have been many recent advances in techniques for prenatal diagnosis. The direct diagnostic procedures of amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, which involve analysis of foetal material, are described and indications of their risks and reliability are given. Other direct procedures are briefly mentioned. Indirect biochemical analyses that identify groups at increased risk are also considered and their individual reported relationships with Down's syndrome are discussed. Technical problems and reported acceptability of maternal serum alpha fetoprotein screening are briefly mentioned. Studies reporting the potential of ultrasonography in the prenatal detection of Down's syndrome are reviewed. Other indications of increased risk are briefly mentioned.