BTDT - Ultrascreen Test question

what can you expect and how long after do you have to wait for results? is there a % on how accurate this test is? are there lots of cases where the test results are negative but the baby had problems?

thank you so much!!!

Re: BTDT - Ultrascreen Test question

You can't really call ultrascreen tests positive or negative. They give you a proportion, not a yes/no or a good/bad.

So in terms of testing for Down Syndrome, they won't tell you that your baby has it or doesn't. They'll tell you the likelihood that the baby has it, based on a combination of your blood work, your medical history, and the sonogram.

Anything proportion greater than 1/1000 is considered abnormal and they might want you to do further testing. So if your results come back that your chance of having a baby with a chromosomal abnormality are 1 in 300, that's still a VERY small probability, but enough that they might encourage you to have an amnio. If your odds are 1 in 4000, then great. It's not 0, they'll never tell you 0, but you know that your likelihood of problems is very small.

Re: BTDT - Ultrascreen Test question

Oh and as for how long you wait: my doctor took my blood a week before the sonogram, so he had the results already. Then they use some computer program to plug in my blood test results, the answers to that questionnaire, and the numbers they get from the NT scan in the sonogram. So about 5 minutes after my sono, while I was in the exam room, the OB was able to come in and give me my "odds" (mine were like 1 in 5000 or something like that).

If you don't do your blood work in advance, it probably takes a day or two, because they need those numbers before they can give you your odds. Although they'll probably tell you at your sono if the neck measurements look good or not.

Re: BTDT - Ultrascreen Test question

thanks so much for giving me the lowdown dava!!!! that was incredibly helpful. my ob told me to go ahead and make an appt for the ultrascreen but the receptionist said that she couldn't give me a dr's appt on the same day and made it for the next day. i guess that means i'll be getting the ultrasound first and then the blood test the next day. i was so confused!

Re: BTDT - Ultrascreen Test question

I didn't get results until my 16 week appointment, when I gave blood for the 2nd time. Right after the nuchal sono the doc at LIJ came in the room to give me an update. I had the integrated test which compared weeks 12 and 16 bloods with the results of the nuchal. Good luck!!!

Re: BTDT - Ultrascreen Test question

I had the Ultrascreen and blood test (finger prick) done at the same time and had the results about 3-4 days later. I *think* I read in the pamphlet I was given at the hospital that the test is 90-95% accurate in determining the various abnormalities it is testing for.

And, like DavaDay said, the results are statistical and not positive/negative.