METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING DOWN SYNDROME BY NON-INVASIVE MATERNAL BLOOD SCREENING

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for detecting fetal Down syndrome(Trisomy 21), trisomy 13, trisomy 18 andother chromosomal anomalies during prenatal screening by analyzing bloodsamples from a pregnant woman. More particularlythe present invention relates to a method for improving detection efficiencyin screening for the anomalies by measuring theamount of the free beta human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and nicked orfragmented or aberrant forms of free beta (HCG),all of which are referenced throughout this application as free beta (HCG) inblood samples from pregnant women.