Róbert Dankovčík, František Cisárik, Igor Lazar, Peter Urdzík, Andrea Grešová
Authors deal with the history of screening – a breakthrough work of Langdon Down from 1866, then AFP discovery, up to the most sophisticated ways of detection of DS by fetal cells analysis from maternal circulation. Definition of basic principles of antenatal screening of chromosomal abnormalities follows and Down`s syndrome specificity and requirements for screening tests. In conclusion the authors elucidate the principles of screening organisation, need of central organisation and control of screening and requirements for particular screening centers. Possibilities of sonographic diagnostics of DS in the first trimester by nuchal translucence are presented as so as of USG diagnostics in the second trimester – by detection of specific markers typical for DS.