Question
How many times should the Down syndrome screening be done? Some say it’s only once, between 16-20 weeks. Others say it should be done twice: the first and second Down syndrome screenings. Which statement is correct?
Answer
Down syndrome screening is typically done just once, and it is recommended to be conducted between 15 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. The purpose of this test is to assess the risk of the fetus having Down syndrome. If the screening results show an increased risk, further diagnostic tests such as amniocentesis or non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) may be suggested for confirmation. Therefore, there is no need for two screenings.