Patient's question:
Can ultrasound exams detect fetal abnormalities and intellectual problems?Can I have a normal delivery if I have vaginitis?
Doctor's answer:
A prenatal screening test called the Down syndrome screening involves drawing a pregnant woman's blood to measure the levels of alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin, and free estriol in the maternal serum. By combining this information with the pregnant woman's due date, weight, age, and gestational age at the time of blood collection, the test calculates the risk factor for giving birth to a child with congenital defects.The optimal time for screening is between the 9th and 14th weeks of pregnancy, known as early pregnancy screening. If this window is missed, the woman must undergo mid-pregnancy screening. Although risk calculations can still be performed during this period, a positive final diagnosis can cause greater harm to the mother.
Regardless of whether early or mid-pregnancy screening is conducted, the results are usually available within one week after blood collection. If the results indicate a high risk, there is no need to panic, as further diagnostic tests such as chorionic villus sampling (early), amniocentesis (mid-pregnancy), and fetal chromosome testing are required to confirm the diagnosis.