Down syndrome screening process

Down syndrome screening is generally a must-do item for pregnant women during prenatal checkups. You don't need to drink glucose during the Down syndrome screening test, but it is best to do the Down syndrome screening test on an empty stomach, otherwise the test results may be inaccurate. The steps for Down syndrome screening are very simple. Just draw serum from the pregnant woman and then wait for about ten days. Down syndrome screening is best started at sixteen weeks, at which time color ultrasound may also be required.

Early Down syndrome screening.

Early pregnancy Down syndrome screening combines B-ultrasound examination of fetal nuchal translucency (NT) screening and serum biochemical test results to assess the risk of pregnant mothers carrying a fetus with a chromosomal genetic disease.

Early Down syndrome screening can detect a fairly high proportion of Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. However, since the accuracy of nuchal translucency scanning is determined by many factors, including the level of the ultrasound doctor and the accuracy of the scanner used, early pregnancy Down syndrome screening still has certain shortcomings. If the early Down syndrome screening fails, you can do nothing or do a diagnostic test, such as amniocentesis, to make a more detailed diagnosis.

Mid-term Down syndrome screening.

Mid-pregnancy Down syndrome screening involves drawing serum from both mother and baby to test the concentrations of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as well as free estriol (uE3) and inhibin A in the maternal serum. The risk factor of giving birth to a child with Down syndrome is calculated based on the increase or decrease of these markers in the pregnant woman's serum and combined with the pregnant woman's expected date of delivery, age, weight and gestational age at the time of blood collection. When a high-risk phenomenon is found in the mid-term Down syndrome screening, fetal anomaly screening and amniocentesis can be performed.

Down syndrome is also known as congenital idiocy or trisomy 21.

Among the 23 pairs of chromosomes in the human body, chromosome 21 is a relatively short pair, carrying less genetic material. Even if abnormalities occur, they will not cause fatal consequences. Therefore, there will not necessarily be anything unusual when carrying a fetus with Down syndrome. There may not be repeated vaginal bleeding or slow fetal growth. The baby will often be born safely and the life span is not short.