Question
A 25-year-old woman weighing 90 jin (approximately 45 kg) underwent early Down syndrome screening at 13.3 weeks of pregnancy, which showed elevated levels of free B-HCG median ratio and 21-trisomy risk indicators, placing her at high risk. Additionally, the male partner had a history of using soft drugs prior to conception. The questions raised include whether the fetus is definitely a child with Down syndrome, whether the pregnancy should be terminated, and whether the use of soft drugs by the male partner could affect sperm quality and increase the risk of Down syndrome in the fetus.
Answer
The doctor recommends further diagnostic tests such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling to determine the fetus’s health more accurately. The screening results for Down syndrome are only an assessment of risk and not a definitive diagnosis. In some cases, a high risk result may require additional diagnostic tests, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, to obtain more accurate results. Moreover, the doctor notes that the male partner’s habit of using soft drugs could affect sperm quality but does not necessarily lead to Down syndrome. The use of soft drugs could potentially impact the fetus in other ways, such as inducing preterm labor or reducing birth weight. The doctor suggests amniocentesis or other precise diagnostic methods to obtain more accurate information.