Question
I’m four months pregnant and have been screened for a Down Syndrome ratio of 1 in 44. I’m very worried, how should I deal with this situation?
Answer
Case Analysis: The Down Syndrome screening is conducted by testing the levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the pregnant woman’s serum, combined with the woman’s age, weight, and gestational age to calculate the risk value. The critical value is 1/275. If the screening result is high risk, meaning greater than 1/275, it is recommended to undergo amniocentesis for further confirmation. However, even if the result is high risk, it does not necessarily mean that the fetus has Down Syndrome. For safety’s sake, it is advisable to undergo a Down Syndrome screening. Children with Down Syndrome usually have severe intellectual disabilities, are unable to care for themselves, and may be accompanied by complex cardiovascular diseases, requiring long-term family care, which can bring great spiritual and economic burdens to the family.