Abstract

The matching criteria were gestation (using an ultrasound crown–rump length or biparietal diameter measurement), duration of storage, and centre. Screening performance of the individual markers and combinations of markers together with maternal age was assessed using standard methods. In addition pairs of first and second trimester serum samples from 600 controls were tested to secure a larger set in which screening performance could be deter­ mined using distribution parameters based on dates (time since first day of the last menstrual period).