Question
At 15 months old, a baby shows symptoms of Down syndrome. When is it most appropriate to undergo a Down syndrome screening?
Answer
The best time to screen for Down syndrome is between the 15th to 20th week of pregnancy. During this period, tests such as serum AFP and HGG can not only identify high-risk fetuses with Down syndrome but also detect high-risk pregnancies for neural tube defects, trisomy 18, and trisomy 13. Two to three weeks after the blood test, during the routine prenatal examination, the doctor will inform the results. If the serum screening results are positive, further amniocentesis tests are required. For children who have been diagnosed with Down syndrome, parents should immediately take their child to the doctor to avoid misconceptions and receive timely symptomatic treatment. Parents should give their child more attention and care to help them receive treatment for the disease as soon as possible.