Quad/Multiple-Marker screening results - Freaking Out!!

megank814

I went in for my Quad screen blood work last Tuesday (I was 15w6d). I got a call this morning and the nurse said my results showed a higher risk for Down's than what they were comfortable with. I had already scheduled my 20 week ultrasound on the 30th so she said they would plan on doing a Level 2 ultrasound that day to go over the baby from head to toe and look for signs that he does have Down's. So Merry Christmas to us, I get to spend the next 18 days trying not to go into panic mode (thank you hormones for making me irrational right now). I know there's a somewhat high "false positive" rate with the quad screening but I can't keep myself from worrying. I'll love him just as much if they do find an abnormality but I just keep praying he's healthy and they don't find anything....

Has anyone else had a "false positive" or know of anyone else who has?

chloebeth930

I would call back and ask what your actual risk numbers are.  It isn't just a positive or negative, they should give you a 1/000 odds. Even if your number was 1/10 that is still a 90% chance that your baby is just fine. 

From the paperwork my doctor's office gave me the Quad screening bloodwork is only 80% effective in detecting Downs. 

missbrooklyn1

Ugh, I'm sorry that you're going through this.  I feel like I've read a number of posts about Quad Screen results and false positives (everything turns out fine in all of the scary posts, I've seen, by the way) here and on the PGAL board.  I am so familiar with the worry - good luck with everything!

lvflowers

I know someone who has had a false positive.  This was the reason why I choose not to do it with my twins. 

altachica

My neighbor had a false positive during her screening a couple of months ago.  She went in for additional testing 2 weeks later (meanwhile, stressing and crying over the results) and everything was fine.

I know it's hard not to worry, but I know a few people that have had false positives.

I hope this is reassuring in some way.

kimikins79

I just found out I have a low papp A level that was discovered during the screening.  I am slightly upset by it too.  Also, my tri 18 level was abit off, but they are still considering me "negative."

Good luck.  I would call and ask for an earlier A/S because of anxiety.  I am sure they would accomodate you.

panda10

I'm hoping that everything works out for you. I'd be nervous too. I'm sure it'll all be fine

PunkRockPrincess1313

My neighbor calmed me down with these things because even with the scan...the tests can have 65% FALSE POSITIVE rates!!

My wonderful neighbor Amy actually designs and sells these machines and testing equipment! She says they cause so much stress with such a high false positive rate.

My cousin...FALSE.... My aunt...FALSE....My coworker...FALSE. They were all worked up and told horrible things but went through with having the kids and nothing is wrong. Nothing at all.

I know it is impossible to calm down ...but I hope you can try. Research...google...the internet can tell you lots of cases of false positives.

*big hugs*

 

miabellabambino

I think I'm in the same boat.  Had my NT scan at 12 weeks, results were really good, then I have the 15 week blood work and I'm elevated.  The doctor did not seem at all concerned, so neither am I, epecially hearing about those false positives.  I go in again on Jan 5th for the third part and then we will get the big picture.  I've already decided that no matter what, I love my baby. 

Gingersnap_mama

I had a false positive with DD.  I had to go through a couple Level II ultrasounds and a lot of worry before I got the false positive speech.  I also think the lab mixed my due date up, so that may have been part of it.  Either way, DD came out 100% happy and healthy!  It almost made me not want to do it with this one, but we are going to a different OB/lab so I decided to give it another go.

mrs+harlow

I just want to point out that with the Sequential Screen, Quad Screen, NT Scan and a/s are checking for markers - THERE IS NO POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE!!! The results are combined to give you a RATIO of likelihood of an abnormality.  A ratio is your odds of there being an issue. It is never definite. 

To OP- did you have the NT scan and Sequential screen blood work as well? Is the doctor combining those results into your ratio? You shouldn't freak out...I KNOW it is hard . I too had an abnormality show up in my anatomy scan which changed my ratio for Trisomy 18 and I will have a follow up Level II for growth in a month.  I would call back and ask for your ratio. Best wishes to you.

megank814

No, our first ultrasound was at 14w6d so it was too late to do the NT scan. The U/S doc said the baby's heart looked perfect but there was a spot on his kidney he wanted to look at again at the 20 week U/S (it showed very mild signs of dilation - an indicator of Down's). I guess I was (and still am) concerned because my dr. and the nurse who called me did nothing to really explain what my results meant. All the nurse said was that my bloodwork "tested positive for Down's" and it was "nothing to worry about". But it's hard not to worry when I don't quite understand. I called back (I was working when she called) and she said the Level 2 U/S would give a definitive answer as to whether we should consider doing an amnio to confirm Down's but that "testing positive" doesn't necessarily mean our little guy has it.

 Also, HUGE thank you to you all! So far, everything you've said has been extremely reassuring. I've been doing some research and finding out as much as I can about how often the blood tests points to abnormalities that end up not being an issue at all. Part of me keeps beating myself up, hello Mommy Guilt. I know it's not something I can control but I keep wondering if I had done something differently the test may have shown different results? I don't know. At this point I'm just rambling. All I know is I keep feeling these little kicks and pokes and that reassures me that no matter what he's going to be our beautiful little boy (:

mrs+harlow

megank814:

No, our first ultrasound was at 14w6d so it was too late to do the NT scan. The U/S doc said the baby's heart looked perfect but there was a spot on his kidney he wanted to look at again at the 20 week U/S (it showed very mild signs of dilation - an indicator of Down's). I guess I was (and still am) concerned because my dr. and the nurse who called me did nothing to really explain what my results meant. All the nurse said was that my bloodwork "tested positive for Down's" and it was "nothing to worry about". But it's hard not to worry when I don't quite understand. I called back (I was working when she called) and she said the Level 2 U/S would give a definitive answer as to whether we should consider doing an amnio to confirm Down's but that "testing positive" doesn't necessarily mean our little guy has it.

 Also, HUGE thank you to you all! So far, everything you've said has been extremely reassuring. I've been doing some research and finding out as much as I can about how often the blood tests points to abnormalities that end up not being an issue at all. Part of me keeps beating myself up, hello Mommy Guilt. I know it's not something I can control but I keep wondering if I had done something differently the test may have shown different results? I don't know. At this point I'm just rambling. All I know is I keep feeling these little kicks and pokes and that reassures me that no matter what he's going to be our beautiful little boy (:

You can't beat yourself up because this is genetics and complicated gene replication/ cell division process...there is nothing you can do to prevent something like a genetic abnormality. But I bet you have no reason to worry about this anyway.

Shame on the nurse who told you your baby " tested positive for Down's" . I would call back and get your ratio from the DOCTOR and then promptly explain to the doctor you didn't appreciate a nurse saying the nurse saying you tested positive when there's no such thing. She should have said " elevated risk/ multiple marker detected".  I bet you a million dollars hearing your ratio will put you at ease until the Level II.

tnywndy

I agree with PP that you need a ratio. I have seen a lot of different "best odds" ratios (posted on the bump boards) also so ask your doctor what the best possible ratio is when he/she gives you your ratio.

lovetohike

I had a positive screen for ds ( the Dr. used the words positve screen) I go to the perinatologist on Friday for a level 2 US and to discuss the pros and cons of an amnio.

I am sorry for your scare, I know how awful it feels to get that call. ;(

pkfld82

Yes, my cousin's wife had blood work that indicated it could have downs, a spot on the heart, and the NT scan abnormal.  

 

She had the baby prematurely at 28 weeks weighing in at only 2.9 lbs.  Other than being extremely early and needing intense intervention in the NICU, it turned out to be a healthy baby girl with no down's.  She made leaps and bounds!  She is 3 years old now, and you can't even tell she was premature.  

 

I hope that this is all just false positives for you too!  xoxo Much love! 

CC.to.be

I'm sorry you are going through this. I agree call back and get your actual risk assesment #. My doc considers anything under 1 in 300 high enough risk to get an amnio, which is insane to me. I would consider 1 in 300 a great result. I do have an acquaintance whos risk came back 1 in 12 and her baby boy is perfectly healthy. GL