An economic appraisal of alternative pre-natal screening programmes for Down's syndrome

The objective of this study was to evaluate economically a screening programme within the Oxford Regional Health Authority for Down's syndrome, based on maternal serum alpha fetoprotein, unconjugated oestriol and human chorionic gonadotrophin as well as maternal age (the triple test) against maternal age alone. The design of the study involved cost-effectiveness analysis of the triple test relative to the maternal age screening programme, and the main outcome measure was the cost per Down's birth avoided. It was found that the triple test is more cost-effective over a wide range of assumptions concerning detection rates and procedure costs. Indirect costs are important in considering the cost-effectiveness of the screening programmes. The most efficient detection rate is around 58 per cent for which the cost per Down's birth avoided is approximately 29,600 pounds if only direct costs are evaluated, 20,100 pounds if all NHS costs are considered and -49,800 pounds if all resource consequences are analysed. It may be concluded that screening for Down's syndrome using the triple test is cost-effective over a wide range of assumptions concerning detection rate and procedure costs. If all resource costs are considered, the programme is highly cost-effective in comparison with other health care interventions.