[Prenatal screening for major fetal defects by using of maternal serum markers]

To investigate the effect of second-trimester maternal serum markers AFP, beta-hCG, uE3, for prenatal screening of the fetal defects.

In 677 women the triple markers were measured. Some factors that may affect the testing such as maternal weight, gestational age, were adjusted on analyzing the result of the testing. Each woman, who underwent the triple screening, will be followed up until her fetus was delivered.

Among the women who were screened, 11 patients who presented at least one marker positive were identified as having an abnormal fetus, and the positive rate was 1.6%. While 32 women were confirmed to be false positive with a rate of 4.7%. Another 11 women had fetal demise on second-trimester, which had been proved to be not caused by fetal abnormality.

Maternal triple serum markers may take as a routine protocol for prenatal screening of the fetal defects.