First Trimester Screening

I just did the 1st trimester screen b/c when I give birh I will be 40 and while the ultrasound looked great on eof the blood tests came back elevated and now I have been put in the abnormal column w/ a risk of 1/284 for a child w/doens syndrom (syndrome).. This has caught me off guard b/c I expected everythign to be normal not ab. Now I do not know if I should worry or not but I allready know the answer I am worrying!!  Does anyone know what this all actually means?? Has anyone else there had this happen and end up finding out that there was NO problem at all??  ANy feedback would be appreciated .. I can't decide if I want to do additional testing!!

[cure65roses]

Sorry you're worried.  I worry about this alot myself also.  As for me, i will do the first trimester screen (i'm only 6 wks right now so i have a little while) and if any of those results come back abnormal, I will seriously consider further testing.

On a brighter note, I think the 1/284 means that out of 284 births with the same blood results as you, then 283 of them will be normal, and one would have downs.  

I would recommend speaking to a genetic counselor for further information.  Ask your doctor.

Good Luck!

[julseymom]

Now that I have been all over this site I see that I too had abnormal PAPP-A levels.  The thing that is really getting me is I asked the counselor over the phone how could have my odds ave turned out IF the PAPP-A would have come back normal and she said the risk could have gone to 1/1700.  This is , I guess, what is freaking me out.. Is the PAPP-A more important a test than the others in the 1st trimester screen? Does it have a higher prediciton rate and would YOU be concerned if your results came back 1/284???

[babypooh]

I just want to say that I'm very sorry you have to go through this. I understand the many concerns that come with pregnancy and motherhood. Try not to overthink things and relax, honey. Try to be calm and ask your doctor lots of questions too so you can rest easier. I'm really not sure about those tests, but one of my aunts was told throughout her whole pregnancy that my cousin was coming with down syndrome. They were certain about it and he came out fine. I hope everything comes out fine, honey and I'll keep you in my prayers. Good luck!

[2ndBaby]

In 2001 at age 28, I had results indicative of Down's on the triple screen, opted only for a 20 week ultrasound with a perinatologist and went no further with testing when she said measurements looked to be 'normal.'  My DD was just fine.

In 2007 at age 33, I had the first trimester screen done for my son.  The nuchal translucency measurement was 2.2 (normal is under 3.0) and my blood results came back with a 1/276 chance for Down's.  Of course I freaked, but the genetic counselor reminded me that was a .003 percent chance for Down's.  I choose once again to wait for the 20 week u/s with the same perinatologist, who again said measurements fell in the normal range.  My DS was just fine, too.

Of course ultrasounds are not 100% accurate, but I trusted my doctors' professional opinions and went on from there.

The genetic counselor told me it was my age that skewed my results so.  They put all measurements into a formula along with mom's age at time of baby's expected arrival.  Had I been 26, she said, everything would've fallen in the 'normal' range.  

Try to relax, hard to do I know!  Talk with your doc about your options and go from there.  Good luck to you.