Survey of current prenatal screening for Down syndrome in Australian hospitals providing maternity care.

Abstract

The present study assessed the screening tests for Down syndrome available to women within Australian hospitals. Postal questionnaires. A total of 282 (57%) hospitals responded with over two-thirds offering some form of screening test which varied by geographical region and level of institution. First trimester maternal serum screening was offered by 11% of hospitals. Nuchal translucency screening was offered by 52% of hospitals with higher use in Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales than in the other regions. Second trimester maternal serum screening was offered by 75% of hospitals with higher rates in Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and the lowest rate in Queensland. A high proportion of women are offered screening but with wide variation in the tests used.