quad screen

nicccox

hello all.  just wondering if any of you ladies can help r shed some light on the quad screen for me,,,,, i am 37 ---21 weeks pregnant.. my screen came back abnormal.. they said this is just a screen that the baby has a 1 an 36 chance of having downs... im totally devastated an not sure where to go from here... i am having the level 2 sonogram but they are sayin it is not conclusive an again can give a false answer.. i am totally against the amnio..just lookin for some feedback... thanks

jenick

I had an abnormal result as well.  My risk was for a neural tube defect. (spina bifida)  I saw a peri. and he assured me that the u/s was about 99% accurate.  I have had 2 u/s with him (18 weeks and 22 weeks)... he wanted to see the baby when he was a little bigger too.  You can always have an amnio. but I really think the u/s are very accurate.   Good Luck! 

gilbrech

I am so against amnios. Especially for something like Down Syndrome. There are just too many risks involved with the amnio if you plan on keeping the baby no matter what the results are.

I am 30 weeks and have been going to a peri for the past month 1/2 due to a thyroid problem that has developed during this pregnancy. This past monday they told me that they have seen some "soft markers" for down syndrome on the u/s. Basically, I was told that if I don't have the amnio then there is nothing they could do until the baby was born to be 100% certain whether or not she has Down Syndrome. 

nicccox

thanks ladies.. i know we are not doing the aminio and i'm going on the fact this test is not full proof... my anatomy ultra sound the tech said everything looked great.. so im gonna take that and just be happy to see her again so soon... honestly if any one ever ask me i would tell them not to do the quad it is more worry than its been worth...

jenick

nicccox:

thanks ladies.. i know we are not doing the aminio and i'm going on the fact this test is not full proof... my anatomy ultra sound the tech said everything looked great.. so im gonna take that and just be happy to see her again so soon... honestly if any one ever ask me i would tell them not to do the quad it is more worry than its been worth...

 

I understand what you are saying, but with the hormone that I "failed" is also an indicator of a growth issue.  I am actually seeing the peri. again on Monday to make sure little man is growing enough.  If there is a problem, I would have never known about it.  I would much rather be proactive rather than reactive.  And I agree with no amnio's....it's just not worth the risk if you can avoid it.  

Lambie.

Just as an FYI you can always ask for a level II ultrasound and fetal echo.  Many Downs babies have heart problems so at least you can get this checked out and know what to expect if there is an issue.  Good luck!

orthomom

The ultrasound can show some "soft signs" for Down's. The quad screen  picks up more than just Down's.  I would tell people to get it even if you aren't going to abort a Down's baby.  It can pick up spina bifida as someone else said but spina bifida is also much more visible on ultrasound than any of the Down's signs.  However, the PP made an excellent point regarding fetal echocardiogram.  There are a number of defects that Down's babies can have that can be immediately life-threatening at birth if they are not born in a facility that can care for them.  One of those defects is a serious heart defect.  Also they can have something called tracheoesophageal fistula which sometimes shows up on ultrasound too.  I would definitely recommend the ultrasound and the fetal echo if you don't want the amnio.  However, the amnios today have less than a 3% complication rate.  They are very safe and give you 100% certain results on whether your baby has Down's.  If he/she does then you can get further testing to determine what help may be needed at birth.

It is up to you. Whatever you decide there is no wrong answer except if you don't find the info you need to keep your baby safe and then deliver at a facility that is inadequate.  Good luck!