Sequential Screening

ginamarie001

Hey ladies.  Did anyone go for this two part test?  I'm 32 years old (will be 33 in May) and this is my first pregnancy.  I had the first blood test done at 12 weeks and the second done at 16 weeks.  When I called my obgyn for the results, she stated that I was at a "slightly elevated risk" for having a baby with down syndrome due to my age and the results of my blood test.  She said that my blood test results provided them with the ratio of 1:462.  Of course this makes me worry...so I went online (bad idea?) and found this website: https://www.wolfson.qmul.ac.uk/epm/screening/calcrisk.html According to this website, I should be 1:700.  I called the hospital where they did the baby's measurements for the sequential screening (12 weeks) and she said that there was a presence of a nasal bone (the absence of a nasal bone is a powerful marker for Down syndrome) and his neck measured normal (babies with down syndrome have fluid at the base of their neck, which would make their neck appear larger).  The measurement portion of the test made me feel a little bit better, but I'm still concerned.Has anyone had results like this before?  Any insight is greatly appreciated.   Gina 

writerinNYC

The risk for my age is 1:667. After my NT scan, the risk was 1:829. The baby had a nasal bone and the NT measurement was 1.9. But then after my quad screen, my risk for DS increased to 1:342, mostly due to the presence of certain hormones in my blood. The number was such a drastic increase that my OB recommended an amnio even though the cut off is really 1:300. 

I had the amnio yesterday and I'm waiting for the results. The amnio included an ultrasound and I think what we saw were all good signs, legs measuring on track and not behind, the baby was sucking its thumb so its hands weren't clenched, etc. Basically, it didn't look like we had any soft markers. I'm hopeful that the results come back normal.

Your risk is really not bad at all but if you are worried, I would get an amnio. It's the only way to really diagnose a problem and be sure. There's a new blood test available but it only tests for DS and I wanted to get the amnio because it tests for a variety of genetic disorders. You can also get a Level II ultrasound which will look for the presence of certain soft markers that  would increase your risk for DS. We opted for the amnio because the miscarriage risk at the hospital was 1:600 which is a much lower risk than 1:342. 

Hope that helps!  

 

kellenickle

We got abnormal results early with the NT scan. Like you, all our measurements and markers were fine. The blood work is what made our results abnormal. My risk was 1 in 47. Those numbers actually equal a 2% chance that something was wrong (or a 98% chance that everything was fine).  So the odds really are in your favor with your numbers.

We did decide to do the amnio and everything came back normal. Good luck with your decision. 

ktpaladino

Your bloodwork was probably at those levels because of your age, although even younger moms can get abnormal blood readings. If the neck was measuring nice and thin, and the nose protrusion was evident, I think you should be OK. You have to remember that there are always a lot of false "positives" with the sequential screen. Also, that it is not a 100% yes or no, that it is measuring your ODDS. Just see if your doctor recommends following up with the amnio or not, and then make your decision based on their advice and how you feel on how to proceed forward.

ginamarie001

I had the ultrasound and first blood work at the hospital at 12 weeks.  The second blood work was at the obgyn's office at 16 weeks.  My obgyn wants me to bring the report to the hospital for my level 2 ultrasound, which is scheduled for 1/30.  I guess that way the tech knows what to look for.  I'm just worried. I know about false positives too....I guess I was hoping to hear better news.  I'm praying that we all have happy and healthy babies!