Normal picture of Down syndrome screening results

What is Down syndrome screening? Down syndrome screening is a test method that extracts blood cells from expectant mothers to test the concentrations of fetal alpha protein, human gonadotropin and free estriol in the pregnant mother, and combines the mother's date of delivery, weight, age, weight and weeks of pregnancy to calculate the risk of giving birth to a fetus with congenital defects.

The definition value of Down syndrome screening is less than 1:1000. If the Down syndrome screening result is lower than 1:1000, the result is judged to be low risk, which is normal.

It should be noted that Down syndrome screening is not a very accurate test, whether in the early or late stages. Its reliability is only about 60% to 80%. Therefore, the risk value of Down syndrome screening is only a risk assessment, not a clear report. In other words, even if the Down syndrome screening fails or shows high risk or critical risk, it does not mean that the fetus will definitely have Down syndrome.

Down syndrome can usually be diagnosed by villus sampling, amniocentesis or cord blood puncture.

Reasons for having Down syndrome

Children with Down syndrome have imperfect physical growth and development, and their behavior and mental state will also be abnormal. Not only will the patients' lives become more difficult, but it will also impose a great financial burden on their families and society. So what are the reasons for having a baby with Down syndrome?

1. Down syndrome is a defective disease caused by genetic inheritance. Genetic factors are one of the key reasons for giving birth to Down syndrome children. 10% of Down syndrome patients are infected by the father's additional chromosomes, and in this case the couple's chances of having a second child with the disease will be higher.

2. Some carcinogenic substances in the natural environment, such as fertilizers and radiation, can easily cause chromosomal aberrations, and some harmful microorganisms and organic chemical factors can also cause changes in sex chromosomes. If pregnant women stay in such an environment for a long time, the probability of giving birth to a child with Down syndrome will increase significantly.

3. Older pregnant women have a much higher risk of giving birth to a baby with Down syndrome than younger pregnant women. The older the pregnant woman is, the higher the chance that the fetus will develop the disease. Studies have shown that pregnant women over 35 are 100 times more likely to give birth to a baby with Down syndrome than those under 25.

How many months should Down syndrome screening be done?

The results of Down syndrome screening cannot accurately determine whether the baby is mute, but after all, it is the most economical, simple and harmless testing method for the fetus. If the results are found to be abnormal, you can proceed with amniocentesis. How often should Down syndrome screening be done?

Generally, the best time for screening is between the 9th and 14th weeks of pregnancy, which is called early pregnancy screening. If you miss this time, you need to enter the second trimester screening, in other words, the screening period is 15 to 20 weeks of pregnancy.

How much does Down syndrome screening cost?

Down syndrome screening is actually the most basic way to identify whether a baby has Down syndrome. A test can measure the risk of a baby having Down syndrome. So how much does it usually cost?

1. The price of Down syndrome screening varies depending on the region and hospital. Generally, the price of Down syndrome screening is around 200 yuan. However, in each region and city, the standard equipment and charging standards of hospitals are not exactly the same. Some hospitals only charge 180 yuan for a single Down syndrome screening, but some hospitals will combine other tests together and the price is around 650 yuan.

2. In fact, when pregnant mothers do Down syndrome screening, the first thing they should consider is not the price issue, but the safety issue. They should choose to do the examination in a reliable obstetric hospital, so that the results obtained will be more accurate and ensure the safety of the baby.