POSITIVE SERUM SCREENING FOR FETAL DOWN-SYNDROME DOES NOT PREDICT ADVERSE PREGNANCY OUTCOME IN ABSENCE OF FETAL ANEUPLOIDY

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether false-po sitive maternal serum screening for fetal Down syndrome is predictive of poor pregnancy outcome. METHODS: The pregnancy outcomes of 99 women having positive serum screening for fetal Down syndrome (study group) -based upon maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP), unconjugated est riol (uE3), hCG, and maternal age-were compared to the outcomes of mat ched control patients having negative serum screening results (control group). The outcome indices analyzed were fetal death, intrauterine g rowth retardation (IUGR), preeclampsia, and fetal anomalies. RESULTS: Between the study group and the control group, there were no statistic ally significant differences in pregnancy outcome with respect to feta l death, IUGR, preeclampsia, or fetal anomalies. CONCLUSIONS: Our find ings demonstrate no apparent increase in the adverse perinatal outcome s analyzed in women having unexplained positive serum screening for fe tal Down syndrome. Although further investigation is needed, these res ults provide no evidence to support increased antepartum surveillance in such patients.