Balkan Journal of Medical Genetics

VALUE OF THE COMBINED TEST IN PRENATAL DIAGNOSTICS
Lončar D
*Corresponding Author: Dragan Lončar, Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic, Clinical Center Kragujevac , Vojislava Kalanovića 1A/3, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; Tel.: +381-64-616-8999; E-mail: drloncar@sezampro.rs
page: 53

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The prospective, observational study was conducted at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic at the Clinical Center Kragujevac (GOC, CC Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia) during 2008 and 2009 on singleton intrauterine pregnancies in the first trimester of pregnancy. The clinical and experimental model of study was used throughout the research. The Ethics Committee at the CC Kragujevac confirmed the correctness of this study and authorized its conduct. Three hundred and seventeen pregnant women were included in the examination and observed by the Board of Genetic Counseling at GOC, CC Kragujevac. An informed consent form was signed by all participants. All ultrasound examinations were conducted on the Aloka Prosound 3500 Ultrasound Machine Package with UST-9124 (Aloka, Seoul, South Korea) at GOC, CC Kragujevac. Pregnancy was 11-13+6 weeks of gestation. The crown-rump length (CRL) of the fetus was between 45 and 84 mm. While measuring fetal nuchal translucency (NT), we used the ultrasound apparatus of high resolution with the option“cine loop” so that the image could be turned by calipers that allow measurement of one decimal point. The screen image on which NT was measured, encompassed only the head and the upper part of fetal rib cage. We used the maximum enlargement, so that small movements of the caliper altered the diameter by only 0.1 mm. The NT was measured by transvaginal approach of color Doppler technique with the fetus in a neutral position. We measured the maximal thickness of subcutaneous illumination between the skin and soft tissue located above the cervical part of the fetal spine. We set the calipers on lines that define the fold, so that they were barely visible on the white limit line of the accumulation behind the neck. During the examinations we conducted more measurements and took into consideration only the highest thickness of the NT. We carried out the quantitative settings of free β-HCG and PAPP-A from venous blood of patients by applying commercial tests from DPC. Tests were based on the analytical immunochemiluminescence assay and were realized by using the automated analyzer IMMULITE 2000 (DPC). All the pregnant women included in this study underwent amniocentesis by a standard transabdominal procedure with the ultrasound control using the “free hand” technique at 16 to 17+6 weeks of gestation. We performed the amniocentesis by needles with mandrene of 20-22G thickness and aspirated 15-20 mL of amniotic fluid into a syringe without a rubber seal. The amniotic fluid sample was delivered to the Cytogenetics Laboratory at GOC, CC Kragujevac, and all results received were deposited into the unique database with required logistic control.

Number 27 VOL. 27 (2), 2024	Number 27 VOL. 27 (1), 2024
Number 26 Number 26 VOL. 26(2), 2023 All in one	Number 26 VOL. 26(2), 2023
Number 26 VOL. 26, 2023 Supplement	Number 26 VOL. 26(1), 2023
Number 25 VOL. 25(2), 2022	Number 25 VOL. 25 (1), 2022
Number 24 VOL. 24(2), 2021	Number 24 VOL. 24(1), 2021
Number 23 VOL. 23(2), 2020	Number 22 VOL. 22(2), 2019
Number 22 VOL. 22(1), 2019	Number 22 VOL. 22, 2019 Supplement
Number 21 VOL. 21(2), 2018	Number 21 VOL. 21 (1), 2018
Number 21 VOL. 21, 2018 Supplement	Number 20 VOL. 20 (2), 2017
Number 20 VOL. 20 (1), 2017	Number 19 VOL. 19 (2), 2016
Number 19 VOL. 19 (1), 2016	Number 18 VOL. 18 (2), 2015
Number 18 VOL. 18 (1), 2015	Number 17 VOL. 17 (2), 2014
Number 17 VOL. 17 (1), 2014	Number 16 VOL. 16 (2), 2013
Number 16 VOL. 16 (1), 2013	Number 15 VOL. 15 (2), 2012
Number 15 VOL. 15, 2012 Supplement	Number 15 Vol. 15 (1), 2012
Number 14 14 - Vol. 14 (2), 2011	Number 14 The 9th Balkan Congress of Medical Genetics
Number 14 14 - Vol. 14 (1), 2011	Number 13 Vol. 13 (2), 2010
Number 13 Vol.13 (1), 2010	Number 12 Vol.12 (2), 2009
Number 12 Vol.12 (1), 2009	Number 11 Vol.11 (2),2008
Number 11 Vol.11 (1),2008	Number 10 Vol.10 (2), 2007
Number 10 10 (1),2007	Number 9 1&2, 2006
Number 9 3&4, 2006	Number 8 1&2, 2005
Number 8 3&4, 2004	Number 7 1&2, 2004
Number 6 3&4, 2003	Number 6 1&2, 2003
Number 5 3&4, 2002	Number 5 1&2, 2002
Number 4 Vol.3 (4), 2000	Number 4 Vol.2 (4), 1999
Number 4 Vol.1 (4), 1998	Number 4 3&4, 2001
Number 4 1&2, 2001	Number 3 Vol.3 (3), 2000
Number 3 Vol.2 (3), 1999	Number 3 Vol.1 (3), 1998
Number 2 Vol.3(2), 2000	Number 2 Vol.1 (2), 1998
Number 2 Vol.2 (2), 1999	Number 1 Vol.3 (1), 2000
Number 1 Vol.2 (1), 1999	Number 1 Vol.1 (1), 1998

About the journal ::: Editorial ::: Subscription ::: Information for authors ::: Contact