Question on down syndrome screenings

KittyFX

I can't remember- it's been a while - but I know someone on here will know. What are the 3 basic tests they do for screening over 35 year olds? I think anyone can get them but they are standard for +35. Nuchal translucency, triple screen, is there something else? (I have a newly pg friend)

 

Thanks!!

Slobina

I acutally just went for the screen today - it is nuchal translucency, trisomy 18, and spina bifida. Funny thing is, I'm 33, so I'm not sure if it is an over 35 thing or not but I did it anyway.

Amy

KittyFX

ok I think I found it, "sequential screen". 11-13 weeks blood test, 11-13 nuchal test, 15-18 weeks blood test.

smb29

quad screen is what I did to test for downs. 

emabend

The most accurate testing offered to women over 35 for the detection of Down syndrome and other chromosome abnormalities would be chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis.

For non-invasive screening it is now recommended all patients, redardless of age be offered sequential (or integrated screening).  This combines the first trimester nuchal translucency, first trimester blood test, and a second trimester blood test.  This combination of screening tsets will identify about 90% of pregnancies with Down syndrome and trisomy 18, as well as 80% of pregnancies with spina bifida.  The issue with screening tests is they will not identify all problems and an abnormal result does not mean there is definitley an issue with a pregnancy.