Patient's question:
I am five months pregnant and need to have a Down syndrome screening. Down syndrome is a very serious condition. Neither my side nor my husband's side has any history of Down syndrome patients. Is it still necessary to test? Is the result of the Down syndrome screening accurate? Could there be false negatives? Will a unhealthy fetus go undetected by the screening?Doctor's answer:
The Down syndrome screening is very necessary to undergo. It is a preliminary screening with accurate results, but a negative result from the Down syndrome screening does not mean there is no risk. A positive result from the Down syndrome screening requires further testing. Non-invasive DNA testing or amniotic fluid (amniocentesis) also does not necessarily indicate a problem. If the screening identifies a high-risk condition, it holds significant importance in preventing infant birth defects and greatly contributes to the promotion of healthy reproduction. The test is highly necessary, as it can provide detailed guidance on the child's development.