Down syndrome maternal serum screening in patients with renal disease.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the value of maternal serum Down syndrome screening in patients affected by renal disease. Study Design: A study group of 54 pregnant women with renal diseases defined before pregnancy, was compared with a control group of 108 patients matched for maternal age, maternal weight, smoking status, and gestational age. Maternal serum markers (free β-human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG], total hCG, alpha-fetoprotein) expressed in multiple of median and maternal renal function markers (creatinine, β2-microglobulin, α1-microglobulin) were assayed. Results: The percentage of patients in the Down syndrome at-risk group (>1:250) using free β-hCG was significantly higher (P < .02) in the renal disease group (48%) than in the control group (12%). No significant difference was observed for total hCG (25% vs 15%). Conclusion: Down syndrome screening using free β-hCG is not applicable in patients with renal disease whatever the maternal serum creatinine and can be used with caution when total hCG is used. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]