INFLUENCE OF ETHNIC-ORIGIN ON NUCHAL TRANSLUCENCY SCREENING FOR DOWNS-SYNDROME

Objective To determine the influence of ethnic origin on access to and equity of nuchal translucency screening for Down's syndrome in a mult iethnic population. Design An observational study in a district genera l hospital with a large multiethnic population. Subjects 1944 women at tending at a hospital antenatal clinic. Main outcome measures First-tr imester fetal nuchal translucency measurements at 10-14 weeks in women from different ethnic groups. Results The racial origin of the screen ed population was not significantly different from that of the populat ion attending for initial antenatal examination. Multiple regression a nalysis showed a small but significant difference in nuchal translucen cy measurement between fetuses of different ethnic origin. Conclusion Nuchal translucency screening can be effectively and equitably deliver ed to a multiethnic population. Although there are significant differe nces in nuchal translucency measurement between ethnic groups, these d ifferences are too small to require correction when nuchal translucenc y is used to screen for Down's syndrome.