Patient's question:
My wife is 34 years old and had the Down syndrome screening at 16 weeks and 2 days of pregnancy. She just received the results (MOM), with AFP at 0.55, hCG at 0.1, and a risk factor of 1/642.Doctor's answer:
Analysis of the condition: A 1:290 risk ratio indicates a high risk, requiring further amniocentesis to determine if the child has any issues. Because prenatal screening is only a screening test, a high-risk result may still be normal after amniocentesis. Prenatal screening can identify 60% to 70% of Down syndrome cases.Advice: It is generally believed that amniocentesis will not harm the fetus, as all procedures are performed under strict ultrasound monitoring, allowing clear visualization of the fetus's position. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the causing harm to the fetus. Amniocentesis is typically suitable for pregnant women around 16-20 weeks.