Help...Is it a "false positive" 1:177 @ 23 Quad Screening Test

I'm a 23 yr. old & 16 weeks pregnant. Doctor called me with an abnormal screening result (1:177) for Downs. Should I be worried? I'm scheduling a 2nd level US for next week - would the results be accurate now that I'm 16 weeks? The amnio procedure is out of the question for me!

Please respond...

[SimplyStar]

Various screening tests can help identify whether you have a high risk of carrying a baby with Down syndrome. The most effective screening is done in two steps between the 11th and 14th week of pregnancy:

Ultrasound. The doctor uses ultrasound to measure a specific region on the back of a baby's neck. This is known as a nuchal translucency screening test. When abnormalities are present, more fluid than usual tends to collect in this tissue.
Blood tests. Results of the ultrasound are paired with blood tests that measure levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and a hormone known as human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Abnormal levels of PAPP-A and HCG may indicate a problem with the baby.
When this two-step screening is done during the 11th week of pregnancy, researchers say it can identify 87 percent of babies with Down syndrome. By 13 weeks, accuracy of the two-step screening approach drops to 82 percent.

Traditional second-trimester blood tests, such as the quad screen, are still available to screen for Down syndrome, spina bifida and various other chromosomal disorders. But these tests are done later in pregnancy and aren't as effective as first-trimester screening for Down syndrome.

If a screening test indicates a high risk of Down syndrome, a more invasive test — such as chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis — may be used to determine whether the baby actually has Down syndrome.

About one in 20 women will have a positive result with any of these screening tests — far more than those who have a baby with a chromosomal abnormality. In fact, most women who have a positive result from a screening test deliver healthy babies.


Please read this last part a couple of times.  There are many false positives.   I tend to speak for those that get a definite positive and tell them they will love their baby no matter what.  A Downs has as much potential as any child.

[Texasgirl79]

I also had an abnormal screen at 1/169 for DS. I had a level 2 ultrasound which was normal and decided against the amnio. I now have a healthy 7 wk old baby. I will never do the test in the future it has lots of false positives. Stay focused and trust in God that everything will be ok. You are young and chances are there is a mistake on the test. Also make sure your due date is correct on the lab report, if it is even off by a few days it will throw the test way off.

[JKM77]

I had a positive reading of 1/15.....I'm leaning towards no amnio but haven't completely decided.  I will decide by Monday as I am 18 weeks.  Although I will not terminate, I would like to know.  But I"m not willing to risk losing a baby, whether it's perfectly healthy or not. I wish I knew more about my test reading.

[SimplyStar]

As I have said many times to mothers in your situation, the amnio was not available when I got PG with my 5th child at age 40, I have often wondered what I would have done, had I found out, but I am so happy I did not abort because Chris is a great son,  there are many false positives in the tests and your chances of having a very healthy baby are great.

[kkunzie]

I too got a possitive test back. And was against amnio cause of all the risks with it, but it wouldve been helpful to prepare myself mentally for my baby with downs, with a heart problem. What ever God sends you is what Gods knows you need. Trust in him. Out of bad things come something good everyday. But definety dont stress about it. Celebrate your pregnancy, whatever the result.  

[feb07june08]

when i was pregnant with my first child the doctor informed me about the tests and said it was my choice to have them but he warned me that the tests have a high rate of getting a false positive and that an amnio would the next step to get an acurate test result, since there is no false positives with the amnio. i decided against it and everything was fine so i would just wait and see what the level two u/s gives you and if you are still worried i would go with the amnio

[susanelizabeth]

I dont have a child with ds but I am about 13 weeks pregnant and what I ended up doing was getting the NT u/s which showed a thin NT (1.2) and opted out of the bloodwork because even the first tri screen has a 5% false positive rate.  I really just got the scan for the u/s.  For me, I wouldnt get an amnio so why stress myself?  1 in 177 sounds kindof good to me.  You have only a .6% chance so 99.4% chance all is fine.  I know SOOOO many people who had false positives, it is very common and at your age, i think the odds are very very slim.  GL to you.

[SassyPantsfreckleface]

This has happened 2x's to me!!!
Both times I was way scared and went through the Amnio. Both stated I had high risks of having baby with downs.
Both were false positives!
Here is my story!
http://sassypantsfreckleface.blogspot.com/2009/03/day-1.html

http://sassypantsfreckleface.blogspot.com/2009/03/day-4.html

http://sassypantsfreckleface.blogspot.com/2009/03/last-day-in-waiting.html

[med1013]

I am going to be a father and my gf recently got the news that our lil girl has a hight rate for ds, she is currently 15 wks and this has been very difficult on her as well, so i can truelly understand the hardship your going through. We were told about the amnio and we decided to take it, today my girl friend recieved the news that it came out positive with ds. i've been trying hard to help her and reassure her of the many chances that these tests are sometimes wrong and regardless she will be a wonderful lil baby. this is her first baby but my 2nd.

[jasper2007]

I was 33 when I got pregnant with our 2nd child and will be 34 when I deliver him/her.  I recently did the integrated screening test which came back abnormal. 1/180.  My doctor said if I wanted to do the amnio that's fine or she said lots of moms don't worry about it.  I am unfortunately worried and have decided to do the amnio next week.  My friends and family are very supportive but it is quite nerve racking.  Any words of advice would be great. It's reassuring to read others who have gone thru the same thing. Thank you

[thickm]

my friend showed a downs baby with all test but she refused to terminate and now she has a beautiful healthy baby boy

[FloridaMommy07]

I am a 39 yr old, in my 19th week with our 2nd child.  Last week, when I was in my 18th week, I also received a call from my OB/GYN that my integrated screening showed "positive" for down's syndrome, with a 1/190 result.  They strongly suggested I schedule an amnio, despite my concerns of miscarriage (particularly since we had difficulty conceiving #2, and went through 6 mths of IUI fertility treatment).  They scared me to death because when I asked if 1/190 was really "off" from what's considered "normal" of 1/270, she said, "oh, yeah, that's almost 100 points off, so you might want to cancel your vacation next week in case you wish to terminate".   What a horrible statement....and a misinformed one!  They suggested I see a genetic counselor since I had so many questions, and I'm glad I did!  A 1/190 chance means a 0.5% chance of DS, or better yet, a 99.5% that the baby's healthy!   In fact, the sonogramist said my likelihood of our baby having DS was very slim, and that a 1/190 result from the integrated screen actually was LOWER than the 1/88 odds of having DS based on my age alone.   It's all in how they present the informaiton!  The counselor totally supported my and my husband's opposition to the amnio because the risk of miscarriage was 1/200, and that based on these odds, suggestested I have an ultrasound with a high-risk doctor.  She said there are "soft" and "hard" markers for Downs that can be detected on an ultrasound, and if all showed normal, then my odds for Downs would decrease to 1/400.  After our u/s last week, we checked out "normal", which gave us a huge relief.  These markers include a look at the heart, fluid behind the neck, measuring the femus and humurous bones, "sandal-toe", curved pinky finger.....in short, I am so ticked off that my OB/GYN office made me feel like a horrible person for not doing the amnio.  The genetic counselor said they're probably afraid of being sued....in fact, she knew of a doctor's office that actually told their patients over 35 unless they had an amnio, they couldn't be their patients.  Crazy!  My word of advise is to talk to a genetic counselor, get an ultrasound with a high-risk doctor to check the markers, then decide if you really want the amnio.  

[Zebs_Mom]

My first child was born with DS - I was 34 and never had any of the tests.  My doctor told me, Why have the tests if it's not going to make a difference?"  And it wouldn't have.  There is no way I would have terminated my preganancy.  If the baby had any major medical problems, like a heart defect, it would have been detected on a regular ultrasound.  When I became pregnant with my second child, I had a 1/100 chance of having another child with DS.  Since I didn't know the difference (the only baby I ever had, has DS) it didn't matter to me.  Think about all these tests and all these odds and statistics, and really ask yourself - will it matter?  Will I love my child any less?  Hopefully, your answer is no!  BTW, my second son does not have DS - yet I was almost 2 years older when I had him and I had 1/100 odds, as opposed to 1/400 with my first child!!  The odds aren't reality - that baby in your arms is reality!!

[adgal]

At my first trimester screen I came back with 1:13 odds for DS.  Now, I would have had my baby no matter what and loved him heart and soul, but I did want to know for sure.  I am one of those people that needs to know.  I opted for amnio (not suggesting it's the right decision for you, it's just what I decided to do).  My little boy does not have DS.  My point is that those first trimester screens are notorious for giving false positives and honestly, try not to worry.  Its always scary to hear that your baby may not be what society considers "perfect", but he or she will be the love of your life no matter what the case....

[bubbaboy]

i was 17 when a got pregnant, and i had a few test done when i was pregnant because my son had bladder problems and they did an ultrasound weekly and they said that evertthing was fine after 4 months of going though all kinds of things. i gave birth right after i turned 18 and come to find out he does have down syndrome. im not going to lie it has been alot of work but i tell you what it has been worth it he is the star in my eyes, the love of my life. my hole thought is if god gives you a special baby with down syndrome when he knew you could handle it, and he knew you wee the right one for that special little one. god does everything for a reason. so just stay strong.

[babysam]

Thank you for sharing your stories. I am having the same problem. The hospital called me with a positive screen test for ds and I am not going to lie I'm really scared but the first thing that came to my mind was "If God have decided to send me a special child is because he/she will need a mom like me". God, I put my baby's health in your hands and I trust you will help us to get trought this.

[rosiebx1]

thank you all so much for your comments it helped me make my decision on not having the amnio. I was told that one of my baby's would be possibly born with downs but they could not tell for both my chances are 0.4% that one of them would but the sonographer could not detect any heart malformations so I believe I got a false positive I was told the same thing with my first pregnancy and she was not born with downs so I am not going to worry or have the amnio. If god feels that that is the kind of baby that I need than I will accept and love him or her or them if it's both of them, no matter what.thank you Jesus for blessing me with 4 beautiful girls 12,9 and 2 1/2 year old twins and another set of twins on the way I love you and may you bless all on this forum.

[eredoo81]

when I was pregnant with my son, it come back as 1/153. Had the level 2 ultrasound and came back as no DS. Then when Lucien was born he had all the DS features so they tested and he has tri 21. Don't worry about it. If your child has DS know that you will be blessed!. They need to be treated like any other child in the ways of love, discipline etc.They have different challenges then other children but ALL children have challenges non the less, no child is perfect.

[pyrowizard719]

I have to agree with everything that was posted about the risk of down syndrome. My quad screen came back with a 1 in 220 risk for DS. I had the level 2 ultrasound and there was one finding of borderline femur length. I would not risk getting an amnio due to MC so we just decided with whatever God gave us would be perfect. My daughter was born on March 17 and she does not have Downs. Even if she did, I would love her just the same. All life is precious!

[SoonToBeMamma2010]

Im 16 weeks along and just found out that my baby might have DS. I have a 1:207 ratio. I know that anything over 270 is normal. Should I be worried? Im going for a level 2 US on the 6th and really worried about it. Havent slept very much the past couple of days. We wont terminate but have no experience with children with special needs. We dont know what to do and we're terrified. PLEASE HELP

[kelciegirl]

i'm only 18 years old, and recived a call saying that my tests came back positive for one of the four abnormalites that the quad marker screens for, I meet with a gentetic counsler in three days, and then have another ultrasound. i'm so worried because i'm a young mother and dealing with a special child willl make this ordeal so much more difficult. i've always been prolife but faced with this situation makes me rethink my postion on the issue. i'll love my baby no matter what, but if i have the chance to keep that child from all the challenges he/she will face on a day to day basis i feel i should take it. i just feel so lost and scared. it makes me so angry how i've tried my hardest to eat right and take care of myself, and i'm at risk when i know mothers who have smoked and not took care of themselves all through preganacy (pregnancy) and have has healthy children. i know i probably really sound my age, but i really need some words or thoughts.

[Dragon1973]

Dear Kelciegirl,

I do know how you are feeling right now.  Your situation was mine about two years ago.  But, I did learn that my son had Down syndrome.  The thing is right now, in order for you to know 100% what you are facing would mean you need to have a definitive test such as a CVS or Amniocentesis.  The other thing you have to consider is, that are you (as you mention) wanting to have your baby no matter what the results?  I was the opposite of you before I was pregnant, in that I always thought if I had a baby with a special need from a genetic abnormality that I would terminate.  Once I was pregnant, and even before my Amnio, I didn't think that way any longer.  I knew I wanted my child no matter what the test said.  As a mother of a child with Down syndrome (Ds) I have to ask you something from what you commented.  but if i have the chance to keep that child from all the challenges he/she will face on a day to day basis i feel i should take it."  My question is, would you also feel this way if your child were typical and had cancer?  or Leukemia?  Those children have challenges, and face sometimes terrible teasing from hurtful others, but I don't think you would have decided not to have them if you learned that they would have challenges.  The reason I say this is because "challenges" is a subjective term.  My son (and I would surmise this for most parents with children who have any sort of need) has yet to have "challenges" that I think you are envisioning.  He had met all his milestones on time, or ahead of time.  Often people have the wrong ideas when they think of things like Down syndrome, because we all had the misconceptions unless we actually knew someone with Ds, or had a child with Ds.  I have to admit, until I did the right research, I was one of those people.  My parents and in-laws were also part of the "old school" and had suggested we terminate.  If they had known what we know now about our son, they would have never even suggested it.  Our son is what you would call typical.  I often tell people, you need to see my blog, the videos the pictures our everyday life so that you can see exactly what it is you don't really know about.  In my blog, I have several interesting help files, and a new link about what to do after you receive a diagnosis.  You can find my article here:  http://welcometoourhouse-myjournal.blogspot.com/p/down-syndrome-diagnosis.html  or just to read my blog in general to see what our life is like:  http://welcometoourhouse-myjournal.blogspot.com/
I will tell you, the anger you are feeling, we have all felt.  I too did everything right.  And yet we had a baby with Ds.  And yes, sometimes I thought why did those drug infested, poor health maintain women have normal healthy babies?  But, honestly - I don't think that way any longer.  Age isn't a deciding factor these days when it comes to the possibility of having a child with a chromosomal abnormality.  

I would love to help you with what you are feeling.  I am a parent support guide (designated by the hospital in our city) to provide guidance and support to people who learn they are or might have a baby with a chromosomal abnormality.  

There are so many questions and I know how you are feeling.  I would love for you to contact me, send me a direct message, and let me help you.  And I would love for you to know, you sound very mature for your age, and I commend you for reaching out, no matter what you choose or decide.  Your age doesn't change how you feel.  Women of all ages feel what you feel, some just have a harder time expressing it, so don't put yourself down.  I am available anytime.  I don't know where you are from or much else about you other than your post, so I hope that you will connect with me and let me support you with words and thoughts (like you mentioned.)

I am here for you.

In addition to anything I have mentioned, please keep in mind, that while I or others may have extensive knowledge in many areas, you should always seek professional medical advice from your own physician, as it pertains to medical conditions or concerns.

Good luck, and if you have any other questions that I can help you with, please feel free to message me directly.

Sincerely,
Sandi (Dragon1973)
MedHelp Genetics Community Leader;
Children - Special Needs Community Leader;
Down syndrome Community Leader & Ds Group Forum Founder/Moderator

[angelik31]

I'm 17 weeks and also got a quad screening done and it said I tested positive for ds too... I feel ur pain that ur in right now... I don't wanna get the amino test done either... I shouldn't even got the screening done since it was my decision on it though... so for now I just pray to my lord to bless me and for me to remain positive and not negative on the situation..
The doctor was just telling me that even for a postive or negative result it doesn't rule out anything wrong with the baby... its just a screening not a diagnoses....
- good luck hun and god bless
- nicka

[pooky29]

I just got a call yesterday that my ds test was positive. I'm so glad that i've read all this because this is my third child and i've never had a positive result before. I was scared to death about going to the ultrasound next week but I feel reassured knowing false positives happen all the time. Even if it turns out this child does have ds I know i will love it just like I love my other two. On the upside I should be far enough along to know what the baby is when I otherwise wouldnt have known for 3 more weeks when they do my regular ultrasound.

[AUNT1]

MY BABY NEWPHEW RESULTS CAME BACK POSITIVE. ON MY 5YEAR OLDS BIRTHDAY, WE RECEIVED THE CALL. IM SO DISAPPOINTED ON HOW MY SISTER WAS INFORMED. I DONT THINK THIS SHOULD BE SAID OVER THE PHONE, IT'S JUST SO DRASTIC. WE ARE ALL SO SO SO WORRIED. MANY BLESSINGS TO ALL AND STAY STRONG FOR THE LIL ONES :> THIS HAS ALL BEEN VERY VERY HELPFUL. WILL POST MIDDLE OF OCTOBER WHEN OUR LIL ONE IS BORN.

[bobo22]

my test come back positive for ds 1/190 but they also found a blood clot in the bottom of my uterus i go this week to find out i having the ultrasound but i really dont wont to have to do the amino. so i praying everyting turns out ok but all of your story have helped me i have a 4 year old son that is healthy and i hope this one is to its in the good lords hands i will still love it anyways........thank u all for ur storys

[loveyoubaby]

well its nice to hear that from all the woman that went throw it but my girls test came back positive and im scared out my mind...it help to hear all this but she still cry's at night

[blessed670]

Hello everyone I had a baby in 2008. I was told that my quad screen  results stated that I had a great chance of having a baby boy with down syndrome.. I went to get my level 2 US, he had a cleft lip. so i decided to get the amino which came back that he had trisomy 13. I am now carrying another boy my quadsreen stated I have a 5% chance of my baby coming out with down syndrome.. Im nervous but im going to get the amino to make sure my son is fine.

[wales12]

I found out that my 2nd pregnancy tested positive for Down's in 2008 also. This was only 9 months after losing my baby son at 29 wks gestation to pre eclamplia. I was devastated beyond words at how cruel life was for me, little did I know! By the time I was 5 months pregnant, the shock had subsided, I was doing my research,and I was just praying my daughter would make it through to the end. She was born at 37wks, weighing 4lbs 10ozs and she has been fighting her was through life ever since. She had cardiac surgery at 7months old, she is peg fed because she has a food aversion and she needs complex surgery on her hips after christmas. This little girl is amazing and is the joy in my life. I am trying to conceive one last time although time is not on my side. I would definately have all of the screening again if I am lucky enough to be in that position again, because it gives you valuable time to prepare yourself for the task ahead. I would never had known the passionate fierce love of a mother if it wasn't for my precious girl, she has, like every other Down's person, a very special place in this world. Good luck to everybody who receives the news of a positive test, it's not easy but then who said motherhood was? Enjoy as much as you can because your in for the ride of your life LOL