Patient's question:
My date of birth is February 1978, and my pregnancy date is July 2009. My estimated age at delivery is 32.18 years old. I had a Down syndrome screening at 17W+3 days, but I didn't understand the results well. The doctor said it was high-risk, and both my husband and I were scared. Please help me interpret the test results!Test Items | Results | Reference Range
---|---|---|
AFP (U/ml) | 183.71 | Less than or equal to 0.40 MOM
Down Syndrome Risk (≥2.50 MOM) | High Risk | Greater than or equal to 2.50 MOM
Neural Tube Defect Risk (≥2.50 MOM) | High Risk | Greater than or equal to 2.50 MOM
Free-B-HCG (g/ml) | 115.81 | Greater than or equal to 2.50 MOM
Down Syndrome Risk (≥2.50 MOM) | High Risk | Greater than or equal to 2.50 MOM
Doctor's answer:
Analysis of the condition: The triple screen test measures the levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) in a pregnant woman's blood, and combines this information with the mother's age to use computer algorithms to precisely calculate the risk of each pregnant woman carrying a child with Down syndrome. Based on your test results, Down syndrome is classified as high-risk, and further testing through amniocentesis should be considered.Advice: However, it is important to clarify that the triple screen test can only help determine the likelihood of a fetus having Down syndrome, but it cannot definitively confirm whether the fetus actually has the condition. In other words, if the blood test results show elevated levels, the chance of carrying a child with Down syndrome is higher, but this does not necessarily mean the fetus has a problem. Similarly, older pregnant women (over 35) have a higher chance of carrying a child with Down syndrome, but this does not guarantee that their fetus is definitely affected. On the other hand, even if the test results are normal, it cannot guarantee that the fetus will not develop the condition.
Lifestyle care: We recommend that you do not overworry and follow the doctor's advice.