Patient's question:
Please ask: Has your hospital reduced the charge for the recent Down syndrome screening? I had the Down syndrome screening at the end of June, but soon after, I heard that the charge had been reduced. Is this true? If so, could your hospital refund the difference?Doctor's answer:
Recommended population for Down syndrome screening: Pregnant women in the 15th-20th week of gestationPurpose and value of the test: Down syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder characterized by severe intellectual disability, inability to live independently, and associated complex cardiovascular diseases. It requires long-term care from family members and imposes significant emotional and financial burdens on them. In China, approximately 26,000 children with Down syndrome are born each year, averaging three births per hour. To improve population quality and implement the national policy of promoting healthy reproduction, prenatal Down syndrome screening and prenatal diagnosis are essential to prevent the birth of children with this most common congenital defect.
The "Down Syndrome Screening" offered by DEYI Health Early Warning Center is a diagnostic package introduced in line with this national policy. Screening can significantly reduce the risk of a pregnant woman giving birth to a child with Down syndrome, greatly improve the quality of newborns, and lower the incidence of birth defects.
For pregnant women in the 15th-20th week, serum AFP, HCG, and PAPP-A can also screen for other conditions, including: neural tube defects, Trisomy 18, and Trisomy 13.
Test combination - Test significance - Beijing Municipal Health Commission Testing Fee Standards
| Test item | Important value and medical significance | Price (CNY) |
|----------|-------------------------------------------|-------------|
| AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein) | Pregnant women carrying a child with Down syndrome have lower AFP levels in their blood compared to normal pregnant women of the same gestational age, while HCG levels are higher. | 50 |
| HCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin) | 50 |
| PAPP-A (Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A) | A new indicator for Down syndrome | 90 |
| Blood collection needle + 1 vacuum tube (imported) | 3 |
Precautions for blood collection:
1) Please wear clothing that allows easy rolling up of sleeves for blood collection.
2) After blood collection, press the puncture site with a cotton swab for 2 minutes without rubbing.
3) Do not eat anything for 12 hours before the test.