Barts and The London Maternity Service | For women and families | Down's syndrome screening
Down's syndrome screening
Down’s syndrome screening
All women are offered screening for Down’s syndrome. Unfortunately, as yet, no screening test can tell you for certain whether your baby has Down’s syndrome, only how high or low your risk might be.
If you book before 14 weeks of pregnancy, the tests will be in the form of a special scan to measure the thickness of the back of baby’s neck (nuchal translucency) and blood test (combined screening). If you book after 14 weeks of pregnancy, the test will be a blood test only (quadruple test).
All women who have positive Down’s syndrome screening are offered counselling regarding their options for further testing by a specialist midwife. We endeavour to provide the highest possible level of support and information at this difficult time. Results are given out Monday to Thursday only to allow time for counselling during the working week.
If your pregnancy is at ‘increased risk’ (because of background or screening test results) you will be offered additional tests (such as Chorionic Villi Sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis). These tests are optional and are only performed by specialists in maternal and fetal medicine. A specialist will be on hand to discuss with you and your family the reasons for, and the results of, these tests.
For more information on antenatal screening please visit the NHS National Antenatal Screening website at www.screening.nhs.uk
Or the Antenatal results and choices page http://www.arc-uk.org/down-s-sydrome-screening
