[First trimester screening for Down syndrome in a French perinatal healthcare network]

French policy in terms of screening for Down Syndrome has been modified in 2010. It is presently based on combined screening based on maternal age, serum markers, and ultrasound measurement of fetal nuchal translucency between 11 and 13+6 weeks of gestation. The objective of this study was to observe the consequences of this new policy on the professional practices, using as example the professionals working in the healthcare network (Perinat 92-Sud).

A semi-quantitative survey was conducted between December 2010 and April 2011. A questionnaire on screening for Down Syndrome in the first trimester was sent to 110 ultrasound professionals performing on the territory of the network.

Seventy-eight sonographers returned the questionnaire. Among them, 73.1% of sonographers who answered had an identifying number required for Down syndrome screening in France. Practitioners engaged in a private or mixed private/public practice or those over 40years had more often an identifying number. Among sonographers who do not have identifying number, 55% said they will perform an evaluation of professional practices, including a majority of hospital practitioners.

The implementation of evaluations of professional practices brings the focus on perinatal networks. It modified the organization of the network Perinat 92-Sud and required the creation of a sonographer network.