Analysis on the results of prenatal screening of Down's syndrome among 5 823 pregnant women during the second trimester of pregnancy

Objective: To explore the significance of prenatal screening of Down's syndrome during the second trimester of pregnancy for reducing the incidence rate of birth defects by analyzing the results of prenatal screening of Down's syndrome during the second trimester of pregnancy. Methods: Chemiluminiscence was used to detect the concentrations of serum biochemical markers( AFP,unconjugated estriol,and β- HCG) among 5 823 pregnant women during 15- 21 gestational weeks; a professional Down 's syndrome assessment software combined with maternal weight,age,gestational weeks was used to evaluate the risk,the risk degrees of trisomy 21,neural tube defects, and trisomy 18 of fetuses were calculated; for the high risk pregnant women,amniocentesis was performed for definite diagnosis under the condition of their informed consent,the postpartum situations were followed up. Results: A total of 5 823 pregnant women were screened, and 374 high risk pregnant women were screened out,241 pregnant women of them received amniocentesis and karyotype analysis,the results were confirmed by Color Doppler ultrasonography and regular follow- up,then 11 cases were diagnosed as chromosomal abnormalities(including 6 cases with trisomy 21,2 cases with trisomy 18,3 cases with other abnormalities),5 cases were diagnosed as neural tube defects(including 2 cases of anencephalus and 3 cases with opened spina bifida),6 cases were diagnosed as other malformations. All the pregnant women whose fetuses were diagnosed as malformations definitely received induced abortion to terminate pregnancy during the second trimester of pregnancy. All the pregnant women were followed up until delivery,one high risk pregnant women who didn't receive prenatal diagnosis gave birth to a baby with Down's syndrome. Conclusion: Conducting prenatal screening of Down 's syndrome among pregnant women during the second trimester of pregnancy is benefit for early diagnosis and early intervention of high risk fetuses of Down's syndrome,and lowering the incidence rate of birth defects.