Question
What factors are considered in calculating the risk of Down Syndrome?
Answer
The calculation of the risk of Down Syndrome is based on factors such as the concentration of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the pregnant woman’s serum, combined with the woman’s age, gestational period, and weight, and obtained through precise calculations by a computer program. This calculation aims to assess the risk of the fetus having Down Syndrome. Generally, if the risk rate is lower than 1 in 270, it is considered low risk; if higher than 1 in 270, it is considered high risk.