Questionapologies if you have already received this, i am experiencing problems.
I am 35 and 16 weeks pregnant with our first child. There is no history in either of our families of any mental or physical disablity.
I had an N/T test at 13 weeks which calculated the risk of Downs at 1:243. This put me just in the high risk cqategory and we now have the option of having an amnio, which I understand carries a 1% chance of miscarriage.
How accurate is the N/T screening?
Should I go ahead with the amnio?
We would appreciate your opinion/advice/expertise as we would like to be well informed before we see the consultant at the hospital.
Many thanks
Heidi and Neil Winrow
AnswerAt the age of 35 your risks of having a Down's syndrome baby are 1:350. Amniocentesis has a risk of miscarriage at the rate of 1:400. We usually suggest any test when the risk of the disease is greater than the risk of the complication. In this case, the risk of the disease is greater than the risk of the complication. At the age of 30, the risk of Down's syndrome is 1:2700 so the risk of Down's is not as great as the risk of miscarriage from Amnio (1:400). The N/T screen is only a screen and is not really accurate. There are false positives as well as false negative results. However if you take into consideration your age, the N/T results, and the normal results for a 35 year old, I would definitely recommend the amnio. The risks are minimal and you will know for sure what is going on. (You will also know if you are having a boy or a girl, if you wish to know>)
