Question
Is Down syndrome screening necessary for all pregnancies?
Answer
Down syndrome screening is not an essential test, but it is recommended for older mothers and women who have had multiple miscarriages to undergo a screening to rule out chromosomal abnormalities and congenital malformations. If the risk is high, a chorionic villus sampling can also be used for confirmation. It is advised to terminate the pregnancy of a child with Down syndrome as early as possible, as most children with Down syndrome are usually treated this way. Intellectual disability and slow growth are common. Whether to undergo the screening is ultimately a matter of personal consideration.