Patient's question:
Down syndrome, a fifteen-month-old baby showing signs of Down syndrome, when is the best time for screening?Doctor's answer:
The best time for screening is between the 15th and 20th weeks of pregnancy. A careful examination of serum AFP and HGG can also screen for high-risk pregnant women with neural tube defects, 18 trisomy syndrome, and 13 trisomy syndrome. After blood collection, the pregnant woman will return to the outpatient clinic for routine prenatal check-ups 2–3 weeks later to receive the results from the outpatient physician. If the serum screening is positive, further amniocentesis is required. The child is affected by Down syndrome, so parents must take the child to the hospital immediately for treatment to avoid various misunderstandings and to receive timely symptomatic treatment. Parents should provide the child with enough care and attention, and do their best to help the child receive timely treatment for the disease.