A more accurate method of combining the results from maternal blood tests and
ultrasound screening for Down’s syndrome could reduce the need for invasive
tests. A study by the Wolfson Institute of Preventative Medicine in London
showed that it could increase the success rate of existing tests from 70 to 85
per cent and reduce the number of false positives from 5 to 1 per cent (The
New England Journal of Medicine, vol 341, p 461). The new method works by
integrating the results of the maternal blood samples and ultrasound scans done
in the first and second trimesters.
More from Â鶹´«Ã½
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending Â鶹´«Ã½ articles
1
We've found a mysterious substance on Titan and Pluto
2
Faecal transplant makes the brains of old mice act young again
3
The secrets to keeping your brain sharp in old age
4
A quantum state that lasts forever may finally be within our grasp
5
Has the answer to life's origins been hiding in our cells all along?
6
Our brains have their first thoughts surprisingly early in life
7
Can prebiotics, probiotics or postbiotics help your ageing microbiome?
8
Chilling the body with drugs could limit brain damage from stroke
9
Most portable air conditioners suck – but there's an easy fix
10
We may have finally solved cosmology's chicken-or-the-egg problem
