Patient's question:
Doctor, how much does it cost to check for Down syndrome in pregnant women? The county hospital found abnormalities and recommended a follow-up check at the district level for confirmation. I had a check done in the county and found abnormalities, so I want to go to the district women and children's hospital for a re-examination. I'd like to consult about the cost to prepare in advance.Doctor's answer:
Perform a Down syndrome screening. This is a non-invasive test for the fetus. It is cost-effective, simple, and safe. It should be performed between weeks 14 and 18 of pregnancy. Only 2 milliliters of the pregnant woman's venous blood need to be drawn. The results can be obtained within 2 to 3 weeks. If the serum screening is positive, amniocentesis should be performed for confirmation and treatment. Down syndrome screening can also detect neural tube defects and 18 trisomy. High-risk pregnant women with 13 trisomy have low costs.