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. 1995 Oct;173(4):1297-300.
doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(95)91374-2.

The influence of maternal weight on human chorionic gonadotropin in the multiple-marker screening test for fetal Down syndrome

K D Wenstrom  1 , J Owen, L Boots, M Ethier
Affiliations

The influence of maternal weight on human chorionic gonadotropin in the multiple-marker screening test for fetal Down syndrome

K D Wenstrom et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1995 Oct.

Abstract

Objective: Our purpose was to determine the effect of maternal weight on human chorionic gonadotropin concentration in the multiple-marker screening test for fetal Down syndrome.

Study design: Two genetics databases were used: database I contained the results of 8297 multiple-marker screening tests and database II contained the results of 1936 multiple-marker screening tests and fetal karyotypes.

Results: The overall screen-positive rate in database I was 7.1%; it was 7.5% in patients weighing < 180 pounds and 5.1% in patients weighing > or = 180 pounds (p = 0.001). Weight significantly affected the screen-positive rate only in women > or = 30 years old (p = 0.003 for 30 to 34 years, p = 0.00004 for > or = 35 years). A weight correction formula was derived; when applied to database II it eliminated individual weight-related differences but had no effect on the overall screen-positive rate or Down syndrome detection rate.

Conclusions: Human chorionic gonadotropin concentration is affected by maternal weight. A weight correction formula eliminates individual weight-related differences in the screen-positive rate but has no discernible effect on the overall screen-positive or Down syndrome detection rates.

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