If you are in the 11th to 14th week of your pregnancy, then your gynecologist may suggest a routine first-trimester screening for Down syndrome. So, what is Down syndrome and why is the screening done during your first trimester?
Normally, every human being is born with 23 pairs of chromosomes in each cell. That is, each cell contains 46 chromosomes. Down syndrome happens when a child is born with an additional copy of chromosome 21. So, in other words, the baby has 47 chromosomes instead of 46. This anomaly can affect the development of the brain and body leading to the Down syndrome condition. Down syndrome is a genetic condition.
Down syndrome screening during pregnancy is typically performed in the second half of the first trimester. However, your doctor can also suggest this noninvasive prenatal testing in the first few weeks of the second trimester.
Early detection of any fetal defect allows doctors and parents to make a more informed decision regarding further scope of action. Decisions can be made keeping the baby’s and expectant mother’s health on priority. Your fetal medicine specialist may suggest or recommend further testing to confirm or rule out a possible Down syndrome diagnosis.
Another reason why first-trimester screening for Down syndrome is important is because confirming the condition in the first trimester can help parents prepare for a baby with Down syndrome. Also, educating yourself about the Down syndrome condition, its symptoms, and its traits, can help parents make better plans for the baby’s future and also help their child reach his/her full potential.
Although individuals may show different symptoms of Down syndrome, they typically display distinct physical features like upward-slanting eyes, a short neck, and a flattened face. They may also have developmental delays and may also suffer from health issues like congenital heart issues, ear infections, and also thyroid problems.
However, with persistent monitoring and supportive care, down syndrome children and their families can live fulfilling lives.
Screening for Down Syndrome is usually a routine test done to determine the likelihood of the Down syndrome condition. While the test is not mandatory, your gynecologist might strongly suggest it to help rule out the possibility of Down syndrome. The noninvasive prenatal testing more commonly referred to as NIPT for Down syndrome involves blood tests and an ultrasound scan. However, NIPT is not definitive or conclusive evidence of the condition. It is only a suggestive test.
If the results from the noninvasive prenatal testing reveal even the slightest possibility of a Down syndrome condition, then your fetal medicine specialist may recommend a diagnostic test to confirm the results.
Usually, your doctor will recommend a noninvasive prenatal test as a routine screening. This test poses no risk and does not cause miscarriages. However, the test is not conclusive. There are possibilities of false positives or false negatives through noninvasive prenatal testing.
On the other hand, a diagnostic test is more invasive. However, it provides more conclusive and definitive evidence of the condition. Tests such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling can confirm or rule out a chromosomal defect, including Down syndrome.However, since the procedure is invasive, there is always a risk of complications including a miscarriage. Always visit the best pregnancy hospital in Bangalore for safe diagnostic testing.
Kinder Women’s Hospital and Fertility Center is a leading women and child care hospital in Bangalore. Our team of gynecologists and fetal medicine specialists are well experienced, offering their expertise in pregnancy care and fetal medicine.
At Kinder Women’s Hospital and Fertility Center, we have state-of-the-art facilities and modern diagnostic equipment. We ensure accurate test results for prenatal scans and pregnancy screenings.
Schedule your appointment today at Kinder Women’s Hospital and Fertility Center for the best pregnancy scanning in Bangalore.
