How do you screen for down syndrome? Unless The tests have changed there is no 100% test to diagnose the syndrome in uterine or to rule it out. 90%? 95? 99% accurate?
The only way you could be 100% sure is if the diagnosis is made at birth.
So are these babies being aborted at birth?
“How do you screen for down syndrome? “
In the old days there was Amniocentesis which was very abrasive.
Now there is a blood test called MaterniT 21
From Google
MaterniT 21 Plus is a non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) that uses a blood sample from the pregnant woman to screen for fetal chromosomal abnormalities, including trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18, and trisomy 13.
Purpose
To detect fetal chromosomal abnormalities that may lead to developmental disabilities
To provide early information for prenatal counseling and decision-making
Procedure
A healthcare provider will order the test and collect a blood sample from the pregnant woman.
The blood sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology.
Results are typically available within 5-7 days.
Accuracy
MaterniT 21 Plus has a high accuracy rate for detecting trisomy 21, 18, and 13.
The test is over 99% accurate for detecting trisomy 21.
The accuracy may vary depending on factors such as the mother’s age and gestational week.
Results
Results are presented as positive or negative for each chromosomal abnormality.
A positive result indicates that the fetus is likely to have the tested abnormality.
A negative result does not guarantee that the fetus is free of the tested abnormalities.
Additional Information
MaterniT 21 Plus can also detect sex chromosome aneuploidies, such as Turner syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome.
The test is not a diagnostic test and cannot confirm a fetal abnormality.
If a positive result is obtained, further diagnostic testing, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS), may be recommended.
Cost
The cost of MaterniT 21 Plus varies depending on the provider and location.
It is typically covered by insurance for pregnant women who are at increased risk for chromosomal abnormalities.
Who Should Consider the Test
Pregnant women who are 35 years of age or older
Pregnant women with a family history of chromosomal abnormalities
Pregnant women who have had an abnormal ultrasound result