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Medical Disclaimer: This tool is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice or certified lab reports.
Range: 45 - 84mm
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About

Between 11 and 13 weeks of gestation, a combined screening test helps estimate the probability of chromosomal anomalies such as Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome), Trisomy 18 (Edwards), and Trisomy 13 (Patau). This calculator combines Maternal Age Risk (Background Risk) with biophysical markers (Nuchal Translucency) and biochemical markers (Free β-hCG and PAPP-A) to generate an adjusted risk ratio.

Results are derived using the Likelihood Ratio (LR) method. MoM (Multiples of the Median) values normalize the hormone levels for maternal weight and ethnicity. A high Nuchal Translucency (NT) or low PAPP-A increases the LR, raising the calculated risk. This tool helps interpret complex lab reports but is not a diagnostic tool; high-risk results typically require confirmation via CVS or Amniocentesis.

prenatal screening trisomy 21 nuchal translucency beta hcg papp-a pregnancy risk

Formulas

The calculation follows a sequential Bayesian approach:

Adjusted Risk = Age Risk × LR(NT) × LR(Biochem)

Likelihood Ratios (LR) are derived from the distribution of markers in affected vs. unaffected pregnancies. For Biochemistry, values are converted to MoM:

MoM = Measured ValueMedian for Gestational Age × Weight Correction

In Trisomy 21 pregnancies, PAPP-A is typically 0.5 MoM and β-hCG is 2.0 MoM.

Reference Data

Maternal AgeBackground Risk (T21)Background Risk (T18)Background Risk (T13)
201:15271:180001:42000
251:13501:160001:38000
301:9001:110001:25000
351:3501:40001:9000
401:851:10001:2500
451:351:4001:1000

Frequently Asked Questions

A risk of 1:250 means that out of 250 women with the exact same age and test results as you, 1 carries a fetus with the condition, and 249 do not. It is a probability, not a certainty.
NT is the fluid-filled space at the back of the fetal neck. All babies have some fluid, but an increased thickness (typically > 3.0mm) is associated with chromosomal abnormalities and heart defects.
These are proteins produced by the placenta. In Down Syndrome pregnancies, PAPP-A tends to be low, and Free Beta-hCG tends to be high. Deviations from 1.0 MoM (the average) adjust the risk calculation significantly.
Cut-off values vary by country. Common thresholds are 1:150 or 1:250. A result above this threshold (e.g., 1:50) is "High Risk" and triggers an offer for further testing (NIPT or Amniocentesis). A result below (e.g., 1:1000) is "Low Risk".