Free Screening To Detect Down's Syndrome

A NEW way of screening for Down’s syndrome in pregnant women has been introduced at Crewe's Leighton Hospital.

It is one of the first hospitals in the North West to offer combined Nuchal Translucency (NT) screening free of charge for NHS patients.

The test is a well established means of improving the detection rate of Down’s-affected pregnancies within the first few months of pregnancy.

It involves having an ultrasound scan and blood test between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy.

Simon Cunningham, consultant obstetrician at Leighton, said: “The combined NT test allows for earlier detection of Down’s.

"Women who are found to have a high risk result can be offered further diagnostic testing such as chorionic villus biopsy which is available from 11 weeks or amniocentesis which is available from 15 weeks.

"Both techniques are available in the Women’s Health Unit at Leighton Hospital.

“The combined method of testing is a more accurate form of screening than the traditional quadruple test – research shows the new screening has an 86% detection rate compared to the 78% detection rate for the traditional test.

"The main benefits of the combined NT test are that it is more specific and that it allows diagnosis and investigation of Down’s syndrome earlier in the pregnancy.”

All pregnant women who book to deliver at Leighton Hospital are offered a free combined NT screen between 11-14 weeks of pregnancy.

Mr Cunningham continues: “During the appointment, biometric details are taken to increase the accuracy of the test.

"The necessary blood samples are taken and then the thickness of the Nuchal space at the back to the fetal neck is measured.

"Babies with abnormalities tend to accumulate more fluid at the back of their neck during the first trimester, causing this clear space to be larger than average.

“Results are normally available within three to four working days and women with a high-risk result are contacted by a member of our fetal medicine screening midwifery team and offered an appointment to be counselled about their options.”