Patient's question:
My girlfriend has just been carefully checked and found to be pregnant. I haven't heard much about the need for a Down syndrome screening during pregnancy. I wanted to ask you, at what gestational week is it best to do this Down syndrome screening?Doctor's answer:
The best time for Down syndrome screening is between 16 and 20 weeks. By testing the pregnant woman's blood for alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin, and free estriol in maternal serum, the risk factors for the fetus developing Down syndrome and neural tube defects can be confirmed based on the pregnant woman's age, weight, and gestational age. If the careful examination indicates a high risk, further non-invasive deoxyribonucleic acid testing or amniocentesis may be required to verify the diagnosis. Pay attention not to overexert yourself, and ensure proper prenatal examinations, including the four-dimensional color Doppler magnetic resonance imaging for abnormal confirmation between 22 and 26 weeks. Maintain a diverse diet, avoid spicy and cold foods, ensure sufficient deep sleep, and always stay in a good mood. Take appropriate calcium supplements.