TRIPLE-TEST SCENARIO FOR STYRIA - WITH DA TA OF THE STYRIAN MALFORMATION REGISTER

Objective: The aim of the study was to clarify by a cost-effectiveness analysis, if a triple-marker screening for trisomy 21 (triple test) s hould be established in Austria. Methods: The published triple-test re sults of the last years were combined with the data of the Styrian Mal formation Register covering the years 1985-1992. The cost-effectivenes s analysis was based on total costs of prenatal diagnosis, costs per f etus diagnosed as affected, the number of affected fetuses detected, a nd the number of procedure-related losses. Results: If low costs are g iven priority, the triple test should be offered to women 35 years of age or older. If a high detection rate is given top priority, the test should be offered to all pregnant women. Conclusion: The results sugg est that the present policy of maternal age screening in Austria shoul d be replaced by maternal serum screening.