Lawrence Kathryn, Crowther Caroline A
University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2003 Jun;43(3):222-5. doi: 10.1046/j.0004-8666.2003.00071.x.
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.
