Patient's question:
Last month, I got pregnant and had a prenatal check-up. The doctor ordered a Down syndrome screening. The results will take about a week to come out, so I only saw them now. It seems to say that the Down syndrome screening shows a high risk of neural tube defects. I'm really worried because I've been in good health lately. I don't know why this is happening. What should I do?Doctor's answer:
The reasons for this condition in pregnant women during pregnancy are very complex. Generally, it is around the time of the fourth month of pregnancy that the screening for Down syndrome is conducted. If the test results indicate a neural tube defect, the risk is particularly high. It is recommended to undergo further review about half a month later. This can be done by directly testing DNA or undergoing an amniocentesis procedure at a hospital above the provincial level.