any information about high DS risks?

[Levi87]

Its good to hear a lot of positive results on this forum. My wife just had her bloods and NT scan done at 12 weeks 3 days. The doctor didnt say anything about the results of the blood test but i knew straight away when they were doing the NT measurements something wasnt quite right. the measurements on our baby turned out to be between 3.3mm as a min and 3.7mm as a max.

We were given a 1:189 risk which was pretty devastating for us considering we a both young (im 21 and my wife is 23) and we have one healthy 3 year old already. We have decided we want to be sure and have booked in an amniocentesis.

Im just wondering how reliable of an indicator is that risk ratio? does anyone have any information or a better understanding of it? Im just hoping it really does mean we have a 1 in 189 chance of having a problem.

[martikadragoon]

Hi!  I think I've replied to one of your posts before (not sure though!) My 15mo old has down syndrome. I'm 23 years old and so is my husband. I'm due next month with baby boy #2, who is genetically fine.

The bloodwork and NT measurement only indicate a percentage of chances, BUT neither is really accurate.

Here's the link to my Journal here on MH regarding down syndrome risks and new parents:

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/89768?personal_page_id=304

A person doesn't have to have a history of DS in their family to have a child with it. Even though women over 35 are at a higher risk for a baby with Trisome 21, %80 are born to moms UNDER 35 since we have more kids.   Feel free to send me a private message with any questions you think I may be able to answer.
I'm not a doctor BUT I have a love of anything medically speaking, and when we found out TJ has down syndrome (at 17w pregnant following Amnio test) I did tons of research, so that's where i get my knowledge. :)

TTYL,
Cindie

[Levi87]

No there is no history of down syndrome or anything like that. My wife was born with a heart defect which was operated on when she was six weeks old, so it could have something to do with that. But during the scan they said the heartbeat was perfect. oh well we will just have to wait and see. its a nervous wait though

[faye83]

Yeah there's a lot of false positives AND false negatives. You'll find out for sure when you get the ammio.
Is there any history of genetic disorders in any of your families?

[smjmekg]

My aunt had all the tests done when she was told her daughter could have DS. Her daughter is perfectly healthy. She got pregnant again and was told the same thing about her son, guess what...he's perfectly healthy. There's nothing wrong with either of them, they don't have DS. Honestly I wouldn't worry that much just yet. A lot of false positives come up on tests, and 1:189 doesn't mean your baby will have DS.