Question

The risk rate for Down syndrome is 1 in 812, for trisomy 18 is 1 in 42,321, and the risk for open neural tube defects is 1.07. Is this normal? Do I need to undergo non-invasive DNA testing?

Answer

Down syndrome screening typically involves testing the concentrations of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG), unconjugated estriol (uE3), and inhibin A in the pregnant woman’s blood, and then combining this with the woman’s age to use a computer for precise calculation, in order to assess the risk of her carrying a fetus with Down syndrome.