Patient's question:
Worried about getting Down syndrome if pregnant, is there a pre-test available? What is the cost of the test? How long does the test take?Doctor's answer:
Generally, the optimal time for the Down syndrome screening is between the 15th and 20th weeks of pregnancy. The purpose of Down syndrome screening during pregnancy is to detect the possibility of the fetus having Down syndrome as early as possible. Down syndrome is a common chromosomal disorder, and children with this condition suffer from severe intellectual disability and are unable to live independently. They are often accompanied by complex cardiovascular diseases, requiring long-term care from family members, which can impose significant emotional and financial burdens on the family. Currently, there is no effective treatment for Down syndrome. It is recommended that everyone undergo Down syndrome screening if they are able to, as it allows for the consideration of termination of pregnancy if the fetus is confirmed to have the condition. However, it is important to note that Down syndrome screening is only a test to assess the possibility of the fetus having Down syndrome, and its results are not a definitive diagnosis but merely a risk factor. Even if the test results are positive, there is no need to be overly concerned. Further diagnostic tests, such as amniocentesis, should be conducted at a large hospital to obtain a definitive diagnosis.