Downs Syndrome fetal test?

Question

My wife and I just had an ultrasound yesterday. The doctor gave us fetal neck measurements of 2.9, 3.0, 3.5 and 4.5 . The doctor states that we are at 12 weeks on his charts, we think we are at 14 weeks by ours. My wife is 30 years old, we have two healthy children and this is our third child. He suggested further tests due to the possibility of Downs Syndrome. We taped the ultrasound and I've reviewed his measurements. They seem close to his measurements based on his crosshairs (of coarse I'm going to think they are less). How concerned should we be that this baby may have Downs? I havn't found anything that really tells me actual percentages? We're going to go ahead with further testing at a later stage, for now we have just done the positive/ negative blood test and are awaiting results. Thx in advance for any comments.

I'm alright with the results either way but he sure scared the heck out my wife at first. To me they are just numbers... the reading that I have done leaves a wide area of interpretation so I guess thats why I'm asking the community.

Answer 1

Hi...when they did this ultra sound and measured the nuchal fold did they also measure the long bones in the babies body (DS kids have shorter arms and legs) and did they also look for any congenital heart defects such as av-canal, or intestinal blockages (common in kids with DS)???
what I mentioned are some other "markers" for down syndrome and they usually are looked for in a level 2 or high intensity ultra-sound and this is done by a Perinatologist.. The other test that you mentioned "positive/negative blood test" or AFP triple or quad screen is ONLY a test to determine the RISKS of having a child with DS...it will not tell you if you child will have DS. only an amnio ir CVS will give you an accurate reading by looking at the chromosomes. Also, this test is known to give out false/positives 80% of the time and is by no means accurate...so when you get the results take it with a grain of salt...not as pure fact.
I just wanted you to know...I did not randomly pick up this information or received it second hand from a friend. I went through it all....and in my case I gave birth to a wonderful little boy who is 3 1/2 now and he happens to have down syndrome. I too went on for further testing with the level 2 ultra-sound and the amnio...not because I wanted to abort, but I needed to know for my own peace of mind and to get as much information on DS as I could before he was born so I was prepared as well as get information about all the porgrams that are available to him. I wish you all the best and most importantly...congratulations on the upcoming birth of your baby!!!!

Answer 2

I really wouldn't be very concerned. I personally chose to not do the testing for Downs syndrome as that test is often wrong, and I didn't want to chance a miscarriage by having an amnio, if the test came back positive. Also, a lot of babies with Downs have a heart defect that goes with the syndrome and it's obvious on the sonogram. Your doctor would have told you if your baby had that defect so no worry's there. Worst case scenario you have a baby with Downs, and you would love the baby. I work with children with Downs and they are delightful and sweet children.

Answer 3

the only reason why your doctor suggests testing for downs syndrome is because there is a higher chance that your child can have it because your wife is 30. women over 30 have the highest chance of giving birth to children with downs syndrome.

also, the chances of having a miscarriage from amniosythesis is the same as the rate of miscarriage in the US. there is no proof that amnio can cause miscarriage.

Answer 4

I was told Downs testing more often than not comes back positive for the possibility and then more in depth testing is needed to rule it out or confirm. It is scary not knowing. I'm 35 and am pregnant with my 1st child. I will do the testing and if it happens to come back positive I will at least be able to prepare for it and research it. good luck

Answer 5

The question is, will it really matter if the child has downs? My ob told us that those tests were not very accurate but were designed so that people could decide if they wanted to keep the child or not. Doctors and their testing isn't perfect. Your wife is at a healthy age for pregnancy. If it were me, I wouldn't worry.

Answer 6

My son and daughter in law were told the same thing. Their tests were wrong. She delivered a beautiful healthy baby girl. No, I wouldnt worry to much. Take care.