Quad screen positive for Down's

lcbourgeois · January 2012

My OB didn't want me to take this test because he says it gets so many false positives in multiple pregnancy's, but he sent me anyway. I did show positive or at risk for Down Syndrome. He told me it was probably wrong & MFM would have seen something already if that was the case. He told me I could mention it to them & see what they said, but not to worry about it.

MFM just did a quick scan for signs of TTTS. This week they'll do the full growth scan again. I asked my MFM Doctor & he said he didn't think he's seen anything, but he would take another look through my records. He basically said if they do have Down's there's really nothing to do now & you don't want to end it do you? I thought that was a little crass.

My question is did anyone else have this test & what were your results? When I had the test they marked twins on my ppwork & then they asked a couple more times too. Did anyone else have a false positive experience or know why this would be more likely to show a positive in a multiple pregnancy? Or have any questions to ask MFM when I see them for the growth scan on Friday?

I know I've seen this posted on here before & not too long ago. Two weeks ago when I got the news I tried to go back through the posts to find the question, but after 10 pages I lost patience.

Thanks so much, Lindsay

erniebufflo · January 2012

My doc asked me if we'd be willing to terminate for Down Syndrome before offering the test, and when I said no, said there was no reason to do it. However, there should be other things they can look for in an ultrasound that might help you determine if you got a false positive or not. Good luck, I know these things can be scary-- one of our girls was diagnosed with spina bifida at our big gender reveal ultrasound.

Reilly626 · January 2012

I cannot comment as my NT scan is Thursday, but Im sorry and these tests seem like such unnecessary stress! So many friends have had false alerts that you have to wonder why we all put ourselves through this.

ninjabridemom · January 2012

I can't stress enough that there are more reasons for these types of tests besides termination, and I think it's HIGHLY irresponsible of your doctor to say that.

Down's babies have heart issues that may need to be addressed. And I learned during our CF ordeal that 20% of CF newborns need surgery very soon after birth. So there are health issues that doctors can better handle if they are aware of them pre-birth.

There is also YOUR OWN preparation, mentally and emotionally. I found CF groups, the best clinics, etc., all in our research while we waited for results. I felt better prepared if they had it and we decided to carry.

This isn't to sway you either way -- termination WAS on the table for us -- but I just hate that people think the only reason to know is to terminate, and I hate more that doctors perpetuate this. Very irresponsible.

Best of luck.

McGibbon51311 · January 2012

erniebufflo:
there should be other things they can look for in an ultrasound that might help you determine if you got a false positive or not.

This. My husband and I decided not to do any of the blood work or u/s to test for diseases other than those that could be done through the normal, required blood screening in the first tri. When we went in for our a/s at 19 weeks the u/s tech showed us that there were no markers for Down's syndrome on either of the babies. Have you had your a/s yet, did the u/s tech find anything during the scan?

violaplayer · January 2012

We decided against blood work exactly because there are no real/researched "normal values" for multiples.

*hugs* I will be praying for you and you anatomy scan.

Temp6313048411121614 · January 2012

My OB didn't even offer the test because he said that the results aren't reliable for multiples. I really would try NOT to worry, you have no other reason to suspect Downs than the 1 blood test, wait until you can talk to your MFM more.

amanda31H · January 2012

My test came back positive, and I have two healthy girls.

I didn't know when I decided to take the test that it produced a lot of false positives for multiples or I wouldn't have done it.

Ny paperwork was correct, multiples were accounted for, so there was no reason that it would come back positive.

Try not to worry. I know it's hard. I dont know what your ratio was, but remember that it's just a statistical chance. It's not really a positive, KWIM?

amanda31H · January 2012

ninjabridemom:
I can't stress enough that there are more reasons for these types of tests besides termination, and I think it's HIGHLY irresponsible of your doctor to say that.

Down's babies have heart issues that may need to be addressed. And I learned during our CF ordeal that 20% of CF newborns need surgery very soon after birth. So there are health issues that doctors can better handle if they are aware of them pre-birth.

There is also YOUR OWN preparation, mentally and emotionally. I found CF groups, the best clinics, etc., all in our research while we waited for results. I felt better prepared if they had it and we decided to carry.

This isn't to sway you either way -- termination WAS on the table for us -- but I just hate that people think the only reason to know is to terminate, and I hate more that doctors perpetuate this. Very irresponsible.

Best of luck.

I agree with this 100%. I hate that people assume that I had a quad screen because termination was an option for us, because it wasn't.

My doctor encourages her patients to get the tests do the delivery room can be prepared and so the patient can.

That being said, after my last experience I am no having a quad screen this time. Il wait for the a/s scan.

erniebufflo · January 2012

ninjabridemom:
I can't stress enough that there are more reasons for these types of tests besides termination, and I think it's HIGHLY irresponsible of your doctor to say that.

Down's babies have heart issues that may need to be addressed. And I learned during our CF ordeal that 20% of CF newborns need surgery very soon after birth. So there are health issues that doctors can better handle if they are aware of them pre-birth.

There is also YOUR OWN preparation, mentally and emotionally. I found CF groups, the best clinics, etc., all in our research while we waited for results. I felt better prepared if they had it and we decided to carry.

This isn't to sway you either way -- termination WAS on the table for us -- but I just hate that people think the only reason to know is to terminate, and I hate more that doctors perpetuate this. Very irresponsible.

Best of luck.

I think my doc said what she did because it was also not going to be covered by my insurance, so it was better to just wait for the AS than to do an elective test that wouldn't change much about my case management. And then, of course, the AS turned out quite eventful.

GeauxTigers82 · January 2012

I'd like to tell you not to worry, but as a mother, I know you will anyway!

But...I had TWO friends that had positive tests with singletons, and their babies are perfectly healthy!

blueberries8 · February 2012

Our doctor didn't offer us the bloodwork as an option because of the difficulty in interpreting the results with multiples. We did do the NT scan. Thinking of you and hoping all is well - it's definitely important to know that the bloodwork is notoriously unreliable with multiples, but I am sure it is still scary.

nikinikinine · February 2012

Our NT scan predicted my son had Trisomy 18. He's a perfectly healthy little boy. It's so hard not to stress, but just focus on making it to your AS and you'll get so many more answers.

Breezy8407 · February 2012

One of my friends recently got a false positive, and everything is okay. I guess I don't have any real advice except stay positive and things will turn out just fine.

allisonmarie22 · February 2012

ninjabridemom:
I can't stress enough that there are more reasons for these types of tests besides termination, and I think it's HIGHLY irresponsible of your doctor to say that.

Down's babies have heart issues that may need to be addressed. And I learned during our CF ordeal that 20% of CF newborns need surgery very soon after birth. So there are health issues that doctors can better handle if they are aware of them pre-birth.

There is also YOUR OWN preparation, mentally and emotionally. I found CF groups, the best clinics, etc., all in our research while we waited for results. I felt better prepared if they had it and we decided to carry.

This isn't to sway you either way -- termination WAS on the table for us -- but I just hate that people think the only reason to know is to terminate, and I hate more that doctors perpetuate this. Very irresponsible.

Best of luck.

All of this. Best of luck to you.

Hunter22 · February 2012

I always question these results. My sister-in-laws older sister had a 1:4 for her singleton, baby is just fine. I was told going into it too that the bloodwork isn't that reliable, and their nuchal fold measurements were fine. I know it is MUCH easier said than done, but don't worry about it unless they find something else in your AS

lcbourgeois · February 2012

Thanks everyone! I've been trying not to worry. My a/s was perfect. I'll speak to MFM more on my appointment tomorrow...

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