Question
What are the treatment costs for initial Down syndrome in the neurology department? Additionally, can the Down syndrome screening check the fetal health condition? At what stage of pregnancy should Down syndrome screening be performed if needed?
Answer
The initial treatment costs for Down syndrome are approximately $100. Before undergoing a Down syndrome screening, a B-ultrasound examination should be conducted to assess the fetal biparietal diameter. If the fetal biparietal diameter is between 28 and 48, it is suitable for the screening. The Down syndrome screening is intended to detect any fetal abnormalities, such as congenital mental retardation. It is advised that older pregnant women (35 years and above or carrying twins) avoid Down syndrome screening due to its certain false-positive rate, which usually requires confirmation through amniocentesis for high-risk diagnoses. Therefore, older pregnant women are generally recommended to undergo amniocentesis directly. It is generally suggested that pregnant women undergo Down syndrome screening between weeks 14 and 20 of pregnancy.