Questions
What does it mean if the cytomegalovirus IgG antibody test comes back positive during pregnancy? Does it affect the fetus? I’m at week 17 of pregnancy and have a 1 in 275 risk of Down syndrome. Is this risk particularly high?
Answers
Mid-pregnancy Down syndrome screening includes blood tests and ultrasound, but reliance on blood tests alone to determine risk is not recommended. The reliability of blood test results for Down syndrome screening is lower, so it’s suggested to first confirm the gestational age with an ultrasound and then use international standard timed-resolved methods for blood testing to improve accuracy. Additionally, consider whether to perform amniocentesis or cord blood testing after completing an ultrasound for fetal anomalies screening. Elderly pregnant women should not be considered high-risk solely based on age; risk should be assessed by combining ultrasound findings.