[Focus on preanalytics for Down's syndrome screening during first trimester of pregnancy]

Ann Biol Clin (Paris). 2014 Mar-Apr;72(2):207-12. doi: 10.1684/abc.2014.0936.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The aim of the study is to specify the pre-analytical conditions required for Down's syndrome screening in first trimester by maternal serum markers. The concentration variation of both markers, hCGβ and PAPP-A, was analyzed at room temperature, at 4°C and during freezing-thawing cycles. Serum can be kept during 72h between 2 and 8°C with an acceptable bias of 5% for each marker. It can also undergo three freezing-thawing cycles without any variation of results. Preservation at room temperature (between 20 and 25°C) requires an analysis within 24h. From this study, writing recommendations enable to give a precise frame to pre-analytical processing and transport of blood samples, in a field where variations can lead to heavy therapeutic decisions.

Keywords: Down's syndrome; PAPP-A; free beta hCG; preanalytics.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Blood Preservation / methods*
  • Blood Specimen Collection / methods*
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / blood*
  • Down Syndrome / blood
  • Down Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Trimester, First / blood*
  • Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A / analysis*
  • Prenatal Diagnosis / methods*
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human
  • Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A