Objective      To identify the value of ultrasonographic screening for Down syndrome of fetuses during the second and third trimesters of gestation.       Methods      We retrospectively analyzed the prenatal ultrasound performance of 32 fetuses

in our department during June 2006 to March 2010 who were diagnosed as Down syndrome by amniotic fluid or umbilical cord chromosome examination.       Results      There were sonographic markers in the 32 cases of Down syndrome

including nasal bone abnormalities in 29 cases

stretch tongue in 28 cases

increased umbilical artery S/D in 13 cases

increased nuchal fold in 9 cases

shorter femur and humerus in 9 cases and dilated stomach and duodenum in 7 cases

congenital heart disease in 6 cases

and hypoplasia of the middle phalanx of the fifth digit in 3 cases. Everyone of the 32 cases had at least two or more ultrasonographic abnormalities above mentioned. Particularly

the ratios of nasal bone abnormalities and stretch tongue were the highest two

accounting for 90.63% and 87.50% respectively.  Systematic ultrasonographic screening

with a sensitivity of 96.88%

is of great value in the diagnosis of Down syndrome for fetuses.        Conclusion      There were several ultrasound abnormalities in the Down syndrome fetuses during the second and third trimesters of gestation. Nasal bone abnormalities and strech tongue are the most frequently presentations.