Any ideas where to get further research on Downs Syndrome testing?

Question

I just had a first trimester combined screen for downs syndrome for my second pregnancy and was given a 1 in 563 chance of having a baby with downs. My concern is that my first pregnancy had a 1 in 11,000 chance of downs. Even given the two years between the pregnancies, that's a highly significant drop. Does anyone know of any research which discusses comparative results between first and subsequent pregnancies? Is my risk further increased, given the change between my first and second results?

Answer 1

Have you had your 20 week ultrasound or triple/quadruple blood screen? What were the results?

My blood screen came back normal, but during the ultrasound the doctor noticed a spot in the baby's heart he said was a calcium deposit (a soft marker for down syndrome). My husband and I have decided against the amnio. We are just going to hope and pray that everything is okay.

I found this website, hope it helps.
http://www.ds-health.com/prenatal.htm

Answer 2

This is a complex question and one which requires consultation with someone who would know, which is likely going to be your local GP or a specialist Obstetrician.
The risk of downs' increases with age significantly, but 1 in 563 is a pretty small risk when you think about it.
You can have further testing if you are very concerned, but this testing carries some small risk (eg amniocentesis has a 1% chance of miscarriage)
Have a chat with your local dr for more info.

Answer 3

I was 25 when I had my second daughter. It was a 1 in 800 chance at that time to carry a child with Down Syndrome. The testing revealed nothing out of the ordinary. When my baby girl was two weeks old, I was informed that she has Down Syndrome. (I wouldn't change her for the world. She's brought more joy to my life than I can explain here.) Go to www.ndss.org it's the National Down Syndrome Society. They have information on what you are asking. I also have links on my webpage which is: http://www.geocities.com/gygls73/ I seriously hope this helps.

Answer 4

Hi Debence, I think you would be well advised to consult your G.P. before investigating much further. He would know your medical history better than most. He may also know of more reliable sources of information than the internet. Do not get paranoid about D.Syn, it is a risk all of us take when contemplating parenthood, non of us are perfect Although they have only a short lifespan compared to non D.Syn children it is ironically offset by their million % loving and endearing nature. I am the father of 4 grown up non D Syn kids, but do have friends with Downs kiddies and find they adjust to their lives with their "gods chosen" children no problem. You must get it into proportion, a million to one chance does NOT guarantee you, I. or anyone else is immune to the risk. You may be that 1, if you are not prepared to accept that risk then do not proceed with a pregnancy, a child is a child with all its faults, but how the faults affect that child is up to the parent. I wish you well and good fortune whatever you decide to do.

Answer 5

when i had my second child i was too laet to have the screening test that you have had. on my 20 week scan they noticed that there was some kind of abnormality on my baby the ventricles on the brain were bigger than they should be. this sometimes shows itself in downs babies so i was offered an amniocenticies a small needle in my tummy. i took that and that will give you a definate answer to whether your baby has downs or not the need le is nothing and for me not even as bad as having a blood test i would recomend it for reassurance if i can help any further please just email me x x good luck x x

Answer 6

do no longer do it!!! the reason i say it particularly is by the fact we had a nuchal test and the risk got here back as a million in 4 for downs. because of the fact the fluid length at the back of the toddler's neck became 4mm. I had to have a CVS which got here back general and then greater heart scans on the toddler. We had months of concern.Our toddler daughter became born ideal and is now 9months previous. yet i could steer properly clean oft he ntscan returned because of the fact of all the pointless concern it brought about us and that i've got considering the fact that study that there are various many fake postives with this test. solid success

Answer 7

Your risk increases with your age unfortunately. There are plenty of web-sites for Down Syndrome,ggogle search. I had my third child at age 31 and he was born with Down Syndrome. My age didn't seem to be the factor then, and genetics testing proved nothing. It just happened. Ultrasounds and scans cannot diagnose D'S, blood test for extra chromosomes (kerotyping) or amniocentesis are more accurate.

Answer 8

hi as mentioned before you could google or try the down syndrome association web site. i was sent to a genetics councillor when i was pregnant with my son as my daughter has downs syndrome maybe your doctor could do the same for you the councillor discussed the chances of it happening again which were negligible hope this helps and good luck

Answer 9

first of all its important to understand (if you ask your midwife she will confirm this)that the scan that is done that shows if theres downs or cystic fibrosis etc, isnt very accurate (as for the other tests that are done they are more accurate but none are above 75%accurate) if you have niggling doubts about your baby then its a sign there is something wrong, my sister, sister in law and cousin had scans that showed they were carrying a downs baby all three babys were fine none of them had any syndromes of any kind, the test i had showed fine and my child was born severely disabled, so please do not put any faith in these tests and good luck

Answer 10

try google there will be a site which deals with all aspects of down syndrome testing. good luck