Determination of the median levels of double and triple prenatal screening parameters in Adıyaman region

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the median values of the triple and double test screening parameters in Adiyaman region. Methods: Between January 2010-December 2011, triple tests were performed to 5909, double tests were performed to 5310 singleton pregnant women in Adiyaman KadinDogum Hastanesi Biochemistry Laboratory. Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), unconjugated estriol (uE3), beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (β-hCG) for triple test and serum β-hCG, pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) for double test were investigated from the patients archives retrospectively. The new calculated medians of the Adiyaman region and the existing computer program’s medians were evaluated statistically. Results: The first trimester screening parameters’ median values of beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin and pregnancy associated plasma protein-A were significantly lower than the program’s median values (p<0.05). The medians of AFP were significantly lower than the program’s medians in 15-19 gestation weeks (p<0.05). The medians of uE3 were significantly higher than the programmes’ medians (p<0.05) except 20. gestation week. β-hCG medians of 16,19 and 20’th gestational weeks were statistically different than the programme’s medians (p<0.05), the difference between 15, 17 and 18’th gestational weeks’ values were statistically unnecessary. The calculated first trimester screening parameters’ median values of β-hCG and PAPPA were significantly lower than the program’s median values in all gestational weeks (p<0.05). For triple test the medians of AFP were lower than the programme’s medians in all weeks and this was statistically significant except 20th gestational week (p<0.05). The medians of uE3 were significantly higher than the programs’ medians (p<0.05) except 20th gestation week. β-hCG medians of 16,19 and 20th gestational weeks were statistically different than the programm’s medians (p<0.05), the difference between 15., 17. and 18th gestational weeks’ values were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The screening test performances will be affected by using the regional median values as in former studies.