Question
I am now 16 weeks and five days pregnant. I had a Down syndrome screening and one of the neural tube defects is high risk. The doctor said to go to a large hospital for further diagnosis. I am very scared and don’t know which hospital in Wuhan to go to, what kind of tests to take, and what to do?
Answer
Down Syndrome, also known as mongolism, is a disease caused by congenital chromosomal abnormalities. Most patients have a genetic error in the 21st pair of chromosomes during genetic division, resulting in an extra chromosome in the cell nucleus; a small portion may be caused by translocation. There are currently no medications that can improve the intelligence of patients with Down Syndrome, so treatment mainly focuses on guidance. Treatment plans for Down Syndrome are typically tailored based on the patient’s intellectual age. This includes methods such as water therapy, acupuncture, rehabilitation to enhance intelligence, guided education, and music education, aimed at improving interest and abilities. This technique combines traditional Chinese medicine’s differentiation with Western medicine’s diagnosis to formulate appropriate treatment plans. If you are worried that you or your family may have Down Syndrome, it is recommended to go to a large hospital for further diagnosis. For specific information on which hospital in Wuhan to go to and what kind of tests are needed, consult local doctors or related medical institutions. They will provide you with professional guidance and advice.