? re ultrascreen & DS

i hate even mentioning this but i'm scheduled to go for my ultrascreen next week. What type of measurement do they look for in the neck fold? I am 35 and have a first cousin with DS so of course i'm a little worreid but i don't understand the measurements they're seeking etc... Thank you

What, can be done if GOD FORBID there are any heart problems?

Re: ? re ultrascreen & DS

I'm not sure about the measurements because we never got detailed info on it - but I don't believe it's standard practice. Ultimately I think they are going to give you a risk assessment based on their findings. Then you go from there. If the risk is high that your child may have DS they will recommend the AMNIO for a better understanding.

I think some here can better explain the ratios and what they mean.

Mine was 1:16,000 and 1:4,200 when they went over the results. Which was low risk.

ETA: As far as the heartbeat, if the notice something they will require more tests. It's amazing what they know to look for and how quickly they respond to things.

Please, please, please don't get too stressed out over the what-ifs. Go in with the intention and excitement of seeing your baby. Deal with whatever comes your way when it comes your way. Everything will be okay.

Message edited 3/21/2007 2:37:05 PM.

Re: ? re ultrascreen & DS

Thank you!!!

Re: ? re ultrascreen & DS

They like the NT to be under 3.0 anything between 2.5 and 3.0 is a gray area...They take the measurements of the NT add them to your blood work and come out with a ratio of the chances or your baby having Down Syndrome or Patau/Edwards Syndrome..

At your age of 35 you have about a 1:300 (?) risk..I am 34 and my risk pre-screen was 1:340...after NT with Ultrascreen my risk is 1:1800 of the baby to have Down Syndrome and 1:10,000 for the baby to have Patau or Edwards Syndrome. We took those results and chose not to have an amnio.

The fact that your cousin has Down Syndrome is irrelevant as Down Syndrome isnt herititary so I wouldnt worry...(my daughter has Mosaic Down Syndrome so I feel safe in saying this and am well versed in how DS happens)

In most case you cannot see any heart issues at this point..they will check to see that there is a good heart beat etc..But they dont do those type of measurements until the level II and then they would still need to refer you for a Fetal Echo..most congenital heart defects are completely correctible and the 2 most common usually correct themselves..

Good Luck

Re: ? re ultrascreen & DS

My Pernatologist said anything over 2.5 measurement wise was high.

Ours was 2.4 and we were sent for a cardio fetal echo...

Re: ? re ultrascreen & DS

thank you! if you don't mind my asking what is Patau/Edward syndrome? I'm trying to keep myself informed so i know what if anything to ask next week.

Re: ? re ultrascreen & DS

Re: ? re ultrascreen & DS

Down Syndrome is trisomy 21 which means there are 3 copies of the 21st chromosome instead of 2..Patau and Edwards Syndrome are trisomies of the 13th and 18th chromosomes..

The conditions are a lot rarer than DS and most babies with the condition do not make it past their first birthday.

Feel free to email me and I'll explain it more in depth..To much to put in here..