A 40-year-old member asked:
Are down's syndrome screening tests accurate?
3 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
32 years experience
Yes: Amniocentesis is 100% accurate. The blood test screening tests are 85-95% accurate.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. William Goldieanswered
Pediatric Neurology 50 years experience
To a degree: The definitive testing involves chromosomes to look at the chromosome 21. Alphafetal protein levels may be elevated, but just suggest risk. Fetal ultrasounds may also suggest risk. Chromosome testing is definitive.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Brian Engganoanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 14 years experience
Yes: Screening tests are measurements of certain hormones/proteins in your blood. They are not diagnostic of chromosomal problems but they do indicate if you are at higher risk and whether you should be offered further diagnostic testing. Different tests have different detection rates and which one you receive will depend on your doctor's office resources/laboratory. Discuss this with your doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 31-year-old member asked:
Where can I find the most accurate screening tests?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Paul Hartlaubanswered
Preventive Medicine 36 years experience
Excellent question: All tests have some false positive and some false negative results, but you are right - some are better than others. The ones that are recommended by reliable sources are the best that we have. For a complete list of recommended screening tests by age, gender, and risk factor, look at the prevention checklist 2013 app.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 28-year-old member asked:
When does screening for down's syndrome begin?
4 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Karl Muenchanswered
Clinical Genetics 63 years experience
At 10 weeks...: ...First trimester maternal serum testing and nuchal translucency by fetal ultrasonography begin and can be followed by the maternal serum quad testing for a combined detection rate of 95% with 5%-8% false positives. These non-invasive test results can be validated by chorionic villus sampling (cvs) at about 10 or by amniocentesis at about 15 gestational weeks.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Screening for down's syndrome mandatory?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Not necessaraly: Early pregnancy screening for such things as Down syndrome and open spine defects is part of the fabric of good prenatal care. It provides information to physician & parent about possible complications of pregnancy that allows planning for a complex outcome. I don't know any OB that would require you be screened, but most would want you to sign a waver acknowledging your decision not to have it.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 28, 2016
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