Posted on 12/11/2006 2:45:29 PM PST by streetpreacher
My friend's wife is about 4 - 5 months pregnant. She recently had a blood test that looks for genetic abnormalities (a quad marker I believe). She was called in today and told by a nurse (still waiting to see a doctor) that she tested positive for TCHG, a birth defect that causes death although the test could have been a "positive negative" requiring further tests. I understand that this test is not conclusive but does anyone have any idea what TCHG is? I can't find anything on the net about it.
It is difficult for most people to hear something which counteracts bad news previously given, especially during pregnancy.
In this case, her Doctor is giving her his honest impression based upon facts from evidence he or a perinatologist gathered.
Ultrasound can rule out genetic abnormalities by giving doctors a way of measuring the length of a developing baby's arms and legs, a means of viewing the developing heart, size of the baby's skull, etc.
Blood test results are often wrong, depending upon the lab, depending upon how the blood sample was drawn, sent, received, stored, etc.
Sounds like Trisomy 18. Our son had Trisomy 13 and died a little over an hour after birth. T13 is when there is a lot wrong internally with the baby such as brain function and other internal organ problems. When he was born, he was as if he were sleeping, never opened his eyes, no movement. We held him until he died.
This was confirmed thru an amnio.
I'd say to all, trust in God because there are instances where the test was a flase positive.
A pediatrician friend of mine always told me that you know that pregnancy is progressing properly if you are getting sick. That means your body is reacting properly to pregnancy. I know, morning sickness is never a pleasant thing.
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