Prenatal Screening
Release time : 01/18/2025 18:13:27
Moms all want healthy and lively babies, so it's important to take preventive measures before it's too late.
Preparing for prenatal screening is the responsible mother's best effort to ensure a healthy and outstanding baby.
Prenatal screening includes Down syndrome prenatal screening and serum screening among other options. Before proceeding with the tests, it is advisable to first understand the cost before deciding on which screenings to undergo.
Serum-based prenatal screening can detect major fetal abnormalities such as neural tube defects and chromosomal anomalies, and it is generally recommended for all women.
Prenatal screening refers to a series of medical and nursing recommendations and measures provided to pregnant women during their pregnancy. The purpose of this screening is to detect and prevent complications in both the mother and fetus early through monitoring, thereby reducing the serious impacts they may have. Post-screening, appropriate diagnostic methods and medical advice are provided to lower maternal and perinatal mortality rates. It is an essential prenatal screening method that significantly contributes to the health of both mother and child.
Prenatal screening is one of the important means to prevent neonatal birth defects. It can predict the risk rate of fetal congenital anomalies in pregnancy and combine prenatal diagnosis to prevent the birth of children with congenital defects to the greatest extent possible. Parents should cooperate with prenatal screening.
What are the tests for prenatal screening? What exactly is being screened for during prenatal screening? Prenatal screening primarily targets three common congenital defects, including Down syndrome (also known as trisomy 21), 18-trisomy, and open neural tube defects.
The three types of congenital defects mentioned above have a relatively high incidence rate; however, congenital malformations such as neural tube defects and intellectual disabilities are genetic diseases. Although they are influenced by environmental factors to a certain extent, their occurrence is somewhat random, making it difficult to rule out the possibility based solely on family history or pregnancy history. Therefore, all pregnant women should participate in prenatal screening when possible.
It is important to understand that prenatal screening is a predictive method and should not be considered as a definitive diagnosis. However, if the results of the screening indicate a high risk, it is crucial to take prompt action.
The optimal time for prenatal screening is from the 9th to 13th week of pregnancy (best between 10 and 12 weeks). For families expecting a new arrival, prenatal screening is crucial. It helps doctors assess whether there are any genetic or developmental issues with the fetus, allowing for appropriate preventive measures and treatment options. Prenatal screening is typically conducted during the early stages of pregnancy, specifically from the 9th week to 13 weeks plus 6 days. This period allows for the rapid development of various organs and systems in the fetus, making it possible to evaluate health conditions more accurately through ultrasound examinations, among other methods. The optimal timing for prenatal screening is between 10 and 12 weeks, as by this point, the fetus's organs and systems have largely developed, enabling more accurate results. If you miss this window of opportunity, testing may need to be delayed until 14 weeks or later. It is important to note that while prenatal screening can help identify some potential issues, it does not eliminate all risks entirely. Therefore, if the results of prenatal screening indicate that the fetus has certain risks, doctors may recommend further diagnostic tests, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, to provide more detailed information. These tests can help diagnose and make more precise treatment decisions. In summary, the optimal time for prenatal screening is from the 9th to 13th week of pregnancy, ensuring accurate results and prompt interventions. If you have any questions or concerns, consult your doctor; they will provide professional advice and guidance tailored to your specific situation.
During the mid-pregnancy period, from 15 weeks to 20 weeks plus 6 days (the optimal time is between 16 and 19 weeks).
In fact, unlike some Chinese women who only go for prenatal check-ups after they've given birth, many Western women prefer to undergo physical examinations and consultations at least 12 weeks before planning a pregnancy. This is all part of the process to ensure a healthy baby. Sometimes, when problems arise with the fetus, it may be necessary to make difficult decisions. For instance, if there are severe or insurmountable issues with the fetus, sometimes it may be best to opt out altogether. The pursuit of optimal genetic health and reproduction is what we should aim for.
Prenatal screening costs vary by region due to differences in economic development and medical standards, resulting in variations in prices. According to feedback from pregnant women, the average cost is around 200 yuan. However, there are reports of expenses exceeding 1000 yuan. It is advisable to consult with local hospitals for more accurate information.
Since the etiology of birth defects is not yet fully understood and often results from multiple factors, most birth defects lack effective treatment methods both before and after birth. Doctors also state that parents' wishes alone cannot bring happiness to children with disabilities, as these disabilities often lead to lifelong pain and even death. Therefore, it is wiser to consult a genetic counselor before conceiving a child, allowing prenatal diagnosis specialists to assess and evaluate the risks for couples planning to conceive, thereby preventing the birth of children with congenital disabilities to the greatest extent possible.
Experts recommend that women over 35 have a higher risk of having a child with birth defects, so it is even more important for women planning to conceive at this age to seek preconception counseling.
What do we need to understand from the prenatal screening report? After seeing the prenatal screening report, many expectant mothers may still be confused. For the content on the report, how should we interpret it? Let's take a look at the following information! 【AFP】 AFP is a specific globulin in the fetus, also known as serum alpha-fetoprotein. It is a unique protein present in the blood of the embryonic period and may have immunoregulatory functions for glycoproteins during pregnancy, preventing fetal rejection by the mother.
AFP normal range is ≤25μg/L, radioimmunoassay; AFP normal range: ≤20μg/L; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA): AFP normal range: ≤25μg/L. The most commonly used quantitative test is radioimmunoassay (normal value is 0-25ug/L), if exceed 25ug/L, it is positive, if between 25-400ug/L, it is low concentration positive, if more than 400ug/L, it is high concentration positive.
FreeHCG: Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone synthesized by placental cells. It is composed of two subunits, A and B.
HCG enters the maternal blood and proliferates rapidly after fertilization, until week 8 of pregnancy, then slowly reduces to a stable concentration from weeks 18-20.
HCG can be used for early pregnancy detection, ectopic pregnancy, and incomplete abortion, among others.
Prenatally diagnosed as Down syndrome, the serum levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and β-hCG in the mother are continuously rising, generally within the range of 1.8-2.3 MOM for a typical pregnant woman and 2.2-2.5 MOM. [21, 18, 13 Trisomy] The normal human body has 23 pairs of chromosomes; trisomy 21, trisomy 18, and trisomy 13 refer to having one extra chromosome in the 21st, 18th, and 13rd place respectively compared to a normal fetus.
Among them, 21 Trisomy is Down's syndrome.
The medical information provided in this text is for reference only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.
In the event of discomfort, it is advisable to seek immediate medical attention. The diagnosis and treatment should be based on a face-to-face consultation with a medical practitioner.