Is Pre-booking Required for Down Syndrome Screening?

Question

Is pre-booking required for Down syndrome screening?

Answer

The purpose of Down syndrome screening is to determine the risk of the fetus having Down syndrome by examining the pregnant woman’s blood. If the screening results indicate a higher risk of the fetus having Down syndrome, further diagnostic tests such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling should be considered. Different regions and levels of hospitals may have different booking requirements. It is generally necessary to book detailed tests at major hospitals. Some suggest consulting local hospitals. The best time for Down screening is between the 16th and 20th weeks of pregnancy.