Patient's question:
My sister is currently pregnant and is 18 weeks along. According to the normal prenatal check-up schedule, she should undergo the Down syndrome screening. Today, she is 35 years old, turning 18. Can she still do the screening? What is the general age limit for it?Doctor's answer:
According to your description, the triple screen test is the full name of the prenatal screening test for Down syndrome. The purpose is to estimate the risk coefficient of the fetus being trisomy 21, trisomy 18, or open neural tube defects by testing the levels of alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin, and free estriol in the mother's serum through blood tests, combined with the mother's age, weight, gestational age, and other factors. It is recommended to pay attention to rest and enhance nutrition during pregnancy.