quad screen results

lululu83

Hi there, long time lurker, first time poster. I got a positive quad screen result for down syndrome and now need to decide how to proceed. The actual result is 1 in 256, which I understand is still very good odds -- the OB explained that it is "positive" only because it is less than the average for my age (37), which is 1 in 270. She said I can just proceed with the 20 week ultrasound in her office and see if there are any soft markers, or she can refer me to a perinatologist for a level II ultrasound. I'm inclined to proceed as originally planned, but my husband thinks we should see the specialist. Frankly, I'm a little worried about the cost -- our insurance doesn't cover ultrasounds (though we'll probably get an "adjustment" to the full cost), and I have no idea how expensive it could be at a peri's office. 

 

Any thoughts on this? I kind of wish I hadn't gotten the quad screen done at this point, but what's done is done. 

mrsjami

Think about what you will do with the answer. Will you get an amnio? Terminate? If neither, than you could wait til 20 weeks.

danieleandwayne

I wasn't going to do the quad screen because the results can be kind of ambiguous. I opted for the MaterniT21 test (Harmony test is a similar test) which tests the fetal DNA found in your blood. It's 99% accurate for diagnosing Downs Syndrome (as well as trisomies 13 and 18). I felt it was way more worth my time and effort (as well as any stress caused by the results).

It only cost me $235 OOP because the makers of the test want to build their case for the test being a better value to the medical field and to consumers, so if your insurance doesn't pay for it, they eat the cost except for the $235 (or is it $253, I can't remember and I transpose numbers often).

To me, the results were conclusive and I felt like it was a wiser investment all the way around. I'm glad I did it.

Good luck, whatever you guys decide. I'm 38, and my "odds" of having a DS baby were less than 1%.

ShellBear+

I guess the question is what will you do with this information?  If you plan to continue this pregnancy no matter what then I think you wait until your 20 week u/s.  Then you can do an amnio if you do show any of the soft markers. I would be hesitant to go to the peri also if I knew my ins. didn't cover the u/s.   I'm sorry I'm sure this is very stressful.  Your numbers are still very good though so I hope you can try to stay positive as the odds are greatly in your favor for everything to be normal. As Danielle mentioned you could always just skip the u/s and try to get the dna test if it is offered to you.   

danuli8

danieleandwayne:

I wasn't going to do the quad screen because the results can be kind of ambiguous. I opted for the MaterniT21 test (Harmony test is a similar test) which tests the fetal DNA found in your blood. It's 99% accurate for diagnosing Downs Syndrome (as well as trisomies 13 and 18). I felt it was way more worth my time and effort (as well as any stress caused by the results).

It only cost me $235 OOP because the makers of the test want to build their case for the test being a better value to the medical field and to consumers, so if your insurance doesn't pay for it, they eat the cost except for the $235 (or is it $253, I can't remember and I transpose numbers often).

To me, the results were conclusive and I felt like it was a wiser investment all the way around. I'm glad I did it.

Good luck, whatever you guys decide. I'm 38, and my "odds" of having a DS baby were less than 1%.

I agree with this. The MT21 is more accurate than the quad screen. Also, if you think you might terminate if there were a problem, I wouldn't wait until a 20-week ultrasound. I did the NT scan + bloodwork at 13 weeks and it came back great for my age (1 in 474, I think it was), but I also did the MT21 just to reassure myself.

stardomdancer2

It can be costly at the MFM. I see one. 

Personally, if it was me (and considering cost as well), I would just do the u/s with the OB.  A lot of times they can pick it up with u/s. Unless you are going to terminate, it is what it is...

stardomdancer2

It can be costly at the MFM. I see one. 

Personally, if it was me (and considering cost as well), I would just do the u/s with the OB.  A lot of times they can pick it up with u/s. Unless you are going to terminate, it is what it is...

And sending lots of hugs to you!

JennyP1

I'm sorry you are having to go through this. My DH was afraid of exactly this issue so he convinced me not to do any screenings since we knew we would not terminate. We had the 20 week u/s and doc said we only have one of the 10 soft markers for Down's and by itself it really didn't mean much (I think 3 or more is when they get concerned). She said there is no guarantee of course unless you did the Maternity 21 type tests or amnio but she said that things looked pretty good and felt confident that everything was fine. Even though you got a "positive" it's so close to the average and just remember that there is a 255 chance in 256 that your baby is just fine. Just my 2 cents but I would wait until the 20 week u/s and see what comes of it, then you can decide if you want to move forward with further testing.

danieleandwayne

I should point out that I was just going to wait for the U/S at 20 weeks because I would only have terminated for Trisomies 13 and 18 (not DS/trisomy 21). But my mom offered to pay for the MaterniT21 test, so I took her up on it in case of the first two trisomies and because I had already had an early loss.

1 in 256 is still less than 0.5% chance. It helped me tremendously to think of it in those terms, since 1 in 256 sounds at first like it would happen TONS of times but really it's less than 0.5%....

lululu83

Thanks for your sympathetic and rational perspectives, everyone -- this is exactly why I like reading this board. After talking with my husband tonight, I'm feeling more confident about how to proceed. Again, thank you!