Question
What is a Down syndrome screening?
Answer
A Down syndrome screening is a prenatal test designed to determine the risk of the fetus having Down syndrome, a genetic disorder that can lead to intellectual disabilities and other health issues. This test is usually carried out between 18 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. If the results indicate a higher risk, pregnant women may need to undergo further diagnostic tests, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. Not all pregnant women are required to undergo a Down syndrome screening; it is generally recommended for high-risk women, such as those over 35 years old or those with other risk factors.