Objectives To evaluate the performance of first-trimester screening for trisomy 21 by a combination of maternal age, fetal nuchal translucency (NT) and maternal serum free β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A

In normal fetuses the lung and heart volumes increase between 12 and 32 weeks of gestation. The extent to which in pathological pregnancies possible deviations in these measurements from normal prove to be useful in the prediction of outcome remains to be determined.

Objective To determine the potential value of measuring the placental volume at 11 to 13 + 6 weeks of gestation in screening for chromosomal defects. MethodsThe placental volume was measured using threedimensional ultrasound in 500 consecutive singleton pregnancies immediately before chorionic villus sampling for fetal karyotyping at 11 to 13 + 6 (median, 12)