Conference Abstracts

An evaluation of prenatal screening strategies in the Australian context

Kate Brameld (1), Peter O’Leary (1), Robert Cocciolone (2)

(1) Office of Population Health Genomics, Department of Health, Western Australia
(2) Antenatal Screening Program, Genetics and Molecular Pathology, SA Pathology, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia

Recent years have seen the introduction of two-stage prenatal screening strategies which have improved performance characteristics than those of first or second trimester screening alone, but come at an increased running cost.  This paper compares the costs and looks at the pros and cons of introducing two-stage screening methods.

A decision analysis model was constructed to evaluate outcomes of the following prenatal screening options: 1) first trimester combined screen, 2) second trimester triple screen, 3) second trimester quadruple screen, 4) contingent screen, 5) sequential screen and 6) integrated screen, in the Western Australian context.

The results indicate that contingent screening was the most effective screening method in terms of cost and performance characteristics.  However, the goal of offering two-stage prenatal screening in Australia must be compared with that of improving access and education for the current service. 

Presented at the Genes for Health Conference, May 2009