VALIDATION OF RADIOGRAPHIC CRITERIA FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF DOWN-SYNDROME IN STILLBORN-INFANTS

We assessed the utility of radiographic findings as aids to the diagno sis of Down syndrome (DS) in stillborn infants. The iliac index may he lp to confirm the diagnosis of DS in stillborn infants in whom it is s uspected clinically, but in whom it cannot be confirmed cytogeneticall y. It also can serve as a screening procedure to select stillborns in whom fluorescent in situ hybridization of fixed tissues should be comp leted. An iliac index of 59-degrees differentiates between control and affected stillborns with the highest accuracy, but false positives pe rsist above 55-degrees. We recommend that a conservative cutoff value of 55-degrees be used if the radiographic data serve as the principal means of diagnosing DS to stillborn infants for fluorescent in situ hy bridization studies.