What is the difference between Down syndrome screening and non-invasive prenatal testing?
Prenatal check-up is a very important process that can help pregnant women understand the health of their fetus. Nowadays, there are many common prenatal check-up methods on the market, among which Down syndrome screening and non-invasive prenatal check-up are two of the more common ones. So, what\’s the difference between the two? How should we choose prenatal check-up methods?
The difference between Down syndrome screening and non-invasive prenatal testing
The main differences between Down syndrome screening and non-invasive prenatal testing lie in the testing method, accuracy and scope of application.
First of all, Down syndrome screening is a method to screen whether the fetus has Down syndrome through three markers (hCG, AFP, free β-hCG) in the maternal serum and age and other factors. Non-invasive prenatal testing tests fetal cell-free DNA in the blood of pregnant women to determine whether the fetus has certain chromosomal abnormalities.
Secondly, the accuracy of Down syndrome screening is relatively low, and the misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis rates are high. Non-invasive prenatal testing is more accurate in predicting disease risk, and the missed diagnosis rate is relatively low.
Finally, Down syndrome screening is only applicable to pregnant women aged 35 and below, while non-invasive prenatal testing has no age limit and has a wider scope of application.
How to choose a prenatal check-up method?
Choose the appropriate prenatal check-up method based on your individual circumstances and needs. If you are older or have a family history of chromosomal abnormalities, it is recommended to choose non-invasive prenatal testing. If you are younger and have no obvious high-risk factors, you may consider Down syndrome screening. At the same time, it is recommended to consult a professional doctor for professional advice before choosing a prenatal check-up method.
Things to note during prenatal check-up
During prenatal check-ups, pregnant women need to pay attention to the following points:
1. The inspection time should be reasonable. Different prenatal examination methods have different examination times. It is recommended to listen to the doctor\’s advice and choose a suitable time for examination.
2. Follow your doctor’s advice. Pregnant women should follow the doctor\’s recommendations during prenatal check-ups, such as diet and exercise.
3. Pay attention to personal hygiene. For non-invasive prenatal examination, the blood of pregnant women needs to be drawn. In order to avoid cross-infection, pregnant women should pay attention to personal hygiene before blood drawing.
Summary
Prenatal examination is a very important task, and Down syndrome screening and non-invasive prenatal examination are two common examination methods. The difference between the two mainly lies in the inspection method, accuracy and scope of application. When choosing a prenatal check-up method, you should make a choice based on your personal circumstances and needs, and follow your doctor\’s recommendations. When undergoing prenatal check-ups, pregnant women need to pay attention to the check-up time, follow doctor\’s recommendations, and pay attention to personal hygiene.
