The Center for Medical Genetics Now Offering Ultra-Screen New First-Trimester Screening Test for Down’s Syndrome

by Anonymous

Houston, Texas November 18 2003--– For the first time ever, all expectant parents will be able to find out in the first trimester of pregnancy whether their baby is at increased risk of having Down Syndrome. Ultra-Screen is a revolutionary new noninvasive screening test that combines a blood test with an ultrasound measurement to help determine with greater accuracy whether a fetus may have Down Syndrome, Trisomy 18 (T-18), or other chromosome abnormalities.

Ultra-Screen may be offered to pregnant women of all ages who are between 11-14 weeks of pregnancy. The ultrasound examines the baby’s neck measuring the amount of fluid accumulation behind the neck of the baby, called the nuchal translucency (NT). The blood test is then combined with the ultrasound measurement to estimate a specific risk, which in clinical research detected over 85 - 93% of babies with Down syndrome and T-18, with a false positive rate of five percent.

“Traditionally women at high-risk for problems due to advanced maternal age or family history have been offered chorionic villus sampling (CVS) in the first trimester, or waited until the second trimester to have an amniocentesis, both of which carry their own risks,” said Dr. Katherine Thompson, medical director of The Center for Medical Genetics. “Ultra-Screen allows them to push their decision-making up a month, and provides reassurance of a healthy pregnancy earlier than any other test permits. For many women of increased risk of these conditions, being able to have reliable information regarding their pregnancy without adding the risk of miscarriage is a welcomed change from the past.”

Ultra-Screen is being offered at The Center for Medical Genetics Houston location and through a network of physicians and sonographers nationwide. Individuals or providers interested in receiving more information on Ultra-Screen can contact The Center for Medical Genetics directly at 1-866-790-1990.

About The Center for Medical Genetics
The Center for Medical Genetics is a private academic institute dedicated to providing the most comprehensive genetic testing services available for patients and physicians. Established in 1997, The Center for Medical Genetics provides a broad range of laboratory services in the rapidly growing field of genetics including cytogenetics, molecular genetics, biochemical genetics, DNA identification testing as well as genetic counseling services. For further information on The Center for Medical Genetics and its genetic testing services, visit www.geneticstesting.com, or call 1-866-790-1990.