Key result
Echogenic intracardiac foci for Down syndrome detection yielded a global sensitivity of 21.8%, a 4.1% false positive rate, and a positive likelihood ratio of 5.08 (95% CI 4.04-6.41).
Why the study?
Does the presence of echogenic intracardiac foci on second-trimester ultrasound accurately detect Down syndrome?
Meta-Analysis
Does the presence of echogenic intracardiac foci on second-trimester ultrasound accurately detect Down syndrome?
Effect estimate: Positive likelihood ratio 5.08 (95% CI 4.04-6.41)
Echogenic intracardiac foci on second-trimester ultrasound have low sensitivity but a high positive likelihood ratio, making them useful for identifying high-risk groups for Down syndrome rather than excluding it.
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Low sensitivity limits ruling out Down syndrome; confirms moderate positive likelihood ratio for high-risk stratification in prenatal ultrasound.
Lorente et al. (2017) conducted a meta-analysis in Down syndrome. Echogenic intracardiac foci was evaluated on Down syndrome detection (Positive likelihood ratio 5.08, 95% CI 4.04-6.41). Echogenic intracardiac foci for Down syndrome detection yielded a global sensitivity of 21.8%, a 4.1% false positive rate, and a positive likelihood ratio of 5.08 (95% CI 4.04-6.41).
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