Down Syndrome Screening

All women are offered screening tests for Down’s syndrome. These tests do not give a definite answer but tell you whether you are at increased risk of having a baby with Down’s syndrome. If you are at increased risk, we will then offer you a diagnostic test, which gives a definite answer. We do not offer diagnostic tests to all women as they increase the risk of miscarriage. Screening tests do not increase the risk of miscarriage.

The Nuchal Combined Test This test is offered to women who are less than 14 weeks pregnant at the time of the scan. It involves taking a blood sample from the mother and an ultrasound scan of the fluid at the back of the baby’s neck (NT). Occasionally it may not be possible to obtain the specific views of the baby that this scan requires. This scan measurement, combined with the mother’s age, weight, and biochemical markers in the blood sample, are used to calculate the risk of the baby being affected by Down’s syndrome. This test is suitable for multiple pregnancies.

The Quadruple Test This test is offered to women who are more than 14 weeks pregnant at the time of the scan or in whom it has not been technically possible to obtain the measurement required for the Nuchal scan. The Quadruple Test is a blood test performed at 15-20 weeks of pregnancy. Four biochemical markers in the blood are measured and, with the mother’s age and weight, are used to calculate the risk of the baby being affected by Down’s syndrome. This test is not suitable for multiple pregnancies.

Whether you have the Nuchal Combined or Quadruple Test, the results are available within two weeks of testing. The results are given in the form of risk figures which tell you how likely it is that the baby has Down’s syndrome. For example a result of 1 in 450 means that there is a 1 in 450 chance of the baby being affected by Down’s syndrome.

If the Nuchal Combined test shows the risk is lower than 1 in 150, which is the recommended cut-off point, then no further testing is offered and the next step is the mid pregnancy ultrasound scan.

If the Quadruple test shows the risk is lower than 1 in 200, which is the recommended cut-off, then no further testing is offered and the next step is the mid pregnancy ultrasound scan.

These ‘lower risk’ results are posted to your home address and a copy is sent to your midwife. If the result is in the ‘increased risk’ groups the Specialist Midwives in Prenatal Diagnosis at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford will contact you and offer you an appointment to discuss the result. Women in this ‘increased risk’ group are offered a diagnostic test.

Advantages

  • Screening tests do not carry any risk to mother or baby.
  • At least 75% of babies with Down’s syndrome will be detected by screening tests.

Disadvantages

  • • Screening tests assess risk and do not give a definite answer.
  • • Some babies with Down’s syndrome will not be detected by screening tests.
  • • Some women will be given an increased risk result and will be offered an invasive diagnostic test which has a risk of miscarriage when their baby does not have Down’s syndrome.

Remember, the decision to have a test or not is yours. It is not helpful for everyone.

Ωράριο Λειτουργίας

Τρίτη: 15:00 - 21:00

Τετάρτη: 15:00 - 21:00

Παρασκευή: 15:00 - 21:00

Πάντα μετά απο ραντεβού

Προσπαθούμε πάντα να ικανοποιήσουμε τις ανάγκες σας

book me button

Επικοινωνία

Αριστείδης Ν. Μάντακας

Φανερωμένης 5 & Αγαμέμνονος 13

Χολαργός - 15561 - Αθήνα

Τ:2155208452 - Φ:2118003471

Κ:6944770530 - Ε: iatreio@drmantakas.gr

 

Ακολουθήστε μας

Βρείτε μας

Screenshot 2021-01-22 at 10.33.05 AM.png