Many pregnant women worry about whether their babies have deformities or genetic diseases after pregnancy. To prevent this, it is necessary to undergo some tests during pregnancy to understand the development of the fetus, one of which is Down syndrome screening. So is prenatal screening for Down syndrome accurate?
Women need to undergo two Down syndrome screenings during pregnancy, the first at 9-13 weeks and the second at 14-21 weeks. The first Down syndrome screening is mainly conducted through ultrasound and blood sampling to determine whether the fetus has Down syndrome. However, this examination is only an estimate and cannot immediately determine whether the fetus has Down syndrome.
The second Down syndrome screening is conducted between 14-21 weeks of pregnancy, and blood tests need to be taken to estimate the results of this test together with the first test. If both tests are normal, the likelihood of the fetus developing Down syndrome is low. If both test results are abnormal, it indicates a high possibility of Down syndrome, and parents should be mentally prepared.
Doing Down syndrome screening during pregnancy is relatively simple, without fasting or holding urine. However, pregnant women must remember the time for their own examinations and not miss this one. This examination is necessary for every pregnant woman, and if any abnormalities are detected in the fetus, it is important to communicate with the doctor in a timely manner.
