NTD Laboratories, Inc.
403 Oakwood Road
Huntington Station, NY 11746
Phone: 1.888.NTDLABS (683.5227)
ntdlabs@perkinelmer.com
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NTD Laboratories, Inc.




What Is Ultra-Screen®?
Ultra-Screen® is a First-Trimester prenatal screening protocol designed to provide patient specific risk for Down Syndrome, Trisomy-18 and other chromosomal abnormalities. Ultra-Screen® combines ultrasound measurement of the fluid accumulation behind the neck of the fetus (nuchal translucency) with maternal serum markers.


What Is The Dectection Rate?
Ultra-Screen® has been extensively studied and is proven to detect 91%1 of Down Syndrome pregnancies at a 5% false positive rate and 98% of Trisomy 18 pregnancies with a 1% false positive rate.

Who Should Be Screened?
Women age 35 and over and those with a previous child with Down Syndrome are more likely to have a baby affected with Down Syndrome. However, most cases of Down Syndrome occur in women under age 35. Therefore, screening is recommended for all pregnant patients.

At What Gestational Age Should Ultra-Screen® Be Performed?
Ultra-Screen® consists of a combination of an ultrasound examination and a blood test performed between 11 weeks 1 day and 13 weeks 6 days of pregnancy. The blood test can be performed as early as 9 weeks 0 days of pregnancy however maximal timing for the ultrasound is when fetus has a crown rump length of 45-84mm.

How Is Ultra-Screen® Performed?
The test begins with an ultrasound examination between 11w1d and 13w6d gestation (CRL between 45 and 84 mm.) CRL is measured for accurate pregnancy dating and nuchal translucency (NT) is measured. NT has been demonstrated to be a specific marker for chromosomal aneuploidy. At the time of the ultrasound exam a dried blood sample is collected via fingerstick. The ultrasound data is entered onto the test requisition form and sent to NTD Laboratories along with the dried blood sample.

NTD analyzes the blood sample for free Beta HCG and Pregnancy Associated Plasma Protein-A(PAPP-A). Patient specific risk for Down Syndrome and Trisomy 18 is then calculated based on the patient's age, nuchal translucency measurement, freebeta and PAPP-A.

What Are The Advantages Of Ultra-Screen®?

  • Ultra-Screen® offers 91%1 detection in the first trimester
  • Offers earlier reassurance for most patients
  • Patients shown to be at increased risk will have added time to consider if they want to have a diagnostic procedure done such as amniocentesis or CVS
  • Patients 35 and over who are reluctant to have invasive tests can obtain increased detection non-invasively through First Trimester Screening

 

* Footnotes

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