| Screening and Detecting Down Syndrome | | | | Combining ultrasound and maternal blood tests |
| Parents frequently want to know what to expect of | | | | The combination of ultrasound and maternal blood |
| their unborn child. | | | | testing increases the odds of early detection to 90% |
| Ultrasound tests are frequently performed not only | | | | with only 5% erroneous positive results. False |
| to check on the progression of the pregnancy, but | | | | positives are maddening, stressful errors in the |
| to find out the baby's gender and size. | | | | testing process, and can lead new parents to believe |
| While ultrasound testing is usually a lovely bonus for | | | | they have a child with Down's Syndrome when, in |
| any parent, these tests can be invaluable life-savers | | | | fact, they don't. |
| to parents who believe their child to be at risk for | | | | While testing procedures have improved greatly, |
| Down's Syndrome. In addition to advances in | | | | keep this small chance in mind when looking at test |
| ultrasound, maternal blood screening tests have | | | | results. |
| advanced to the point where more dangerous | | | | Use of ultrasound and maternal blood testing can help |
| procedures can frequently be avoided. | | | | avoid the necessity of the more definitive tests. |
| Ultrasounds and detecting Down Syndrome | | | | However, if screening up to this point has indicated a |
| Ultrasound tests can be done in the first trimester to | | | | strong possibility of Down's Syndrome in your baby, |
| check for early signs of Down's Syndrome, such as | | | | you may want to go ahead and have the more |
| thicker than normal neck skin. | | | | definitive tests done to get a real, concrete answer. |
| In the early second trimester, an ultrasound test may | | | | Sceening the baby more invasively |
| be able to show another potentially problematic sign, | | | | Be aware that these tests carry a small risk of |
| the lack of a normal nasal bone. | | | | endangering the baby and the mother because all of |
| Ultrasound is not a definitive test for a number of | | | | them involve physically invading the uterus for a |
| reasons. The mother will be moving slightly during the | | | | tissue sample. This risk is why avoiding them as much |
| test, no matter how hard she tries to be still. Her | | | | as possible is a good idea. |
| breathing moves her uterus, if nothing else. In | | | | These tests include umbilical cord blood testing, |
| addition, of course, babies move around like mad as | | | | sampling of placental tissue, and amniocentesis. |
| any pregnant lady who's tried to sleep through a | | | | Amniocentesis involves taking a sample of amniotic |
| kicking child can attest. Because ultrasound testing | | | | fluid from within the placental sac. Because these |
| involves bouncing sound waves in order to get a | | | | tests involve breaching the integrity of the uterus |
| clear picture, movement can give false results either | | | | and/or placental fluid sac, they have a small chance |
| way. | | | | of causing a miscarriage or other damage. |
| However, these early ultrasound tests can help both | | | | Conclusion |
| doctors and parents make informed decisions to | | | | If the tests should come up positive, realize that |
| proceed or not with further Down's Syndrome tests. | | | | your child can enjoy a happy and full life with early |
| Maternal Blood Screening | | | | intervention and loving care. |
| If the ultrasounds indicate that the unborn baby may | | | | As diagnosis occured before birth, you have the |
| have Down's Syndrome, maternal blood screening is a | | | | opportunity to maximize your child's capability, |
| good next step. | | | | potential and quality of life. |
| These blood tests are taken from Mom and look for | | | | Children with Down's Syndrome are, first and |
| several factors in her blood that indicate potential | | | | foremost, children, with all the capacity for love, |
| Down's Syndrome. | | | | wonder and life implied thereby. |