The Difference Between Down Syndrome Screening and Routine Obstetric Examination

Question

Many pregnant women undergo Down syndrome screening. What is the difference between Down syndrome screening and routine prenatal examination?

Answer

Down syndrome screening is a method that involves taking a pregnant woman’s serum to analyze the levels of alpha-fetoprotein,Chorionic Gonadotropin hormone(chorionic gonadotropin), and free estriol, and combines this with the woman’s individual health status and pregnancy conditions to assess the risk of her fetus having congenital defects. The main purpose of this screening is to detect and identify fetuses with Down syndrome, which is a part of routine prenatal examination. If a child is diagnosed with Down syndrome, parents should immediately take the child for medical treatment, avoid misconceptions, and receive timely treatment. Parents should also closely monitor their child’s symptoms and do their best to assist in appropriate medical care.