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Antenatal tests

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Original poster

Worried about 2 contradictory tests Quadruple & Harmony

12 replies

Moluka · 15/09/2017 08:45

Hi everyone,

When I went for my 12 week scan the hospital could not perform the combined test due to my baby's position, so they asked me to come back to have the quadruple test 2 weeks later. My husband and I then decided to have the harmony done and were hopping to get the results before the quad test. However the Harmony results got lost in the post and we went to the quad test without those results. So they went ahead and did the quad test. The midwife warned me that the quad and the harmony might get contradictory results but I was not worried at that point. In the meantime, I managed to get a copy of the harmony results and found these were "low risk". Then a couple of days letter I get a phone call from the NHS lab to tell me the quadruple test was high risk (1:5 chances of DS) - 20% chance. Because the Harmony test were "in 1st", I am now very confused and trying to get a response from anyone.... no one has been able to help. All I get is "is your call" this comes from my midwife and the lab people.

We are seriously thinking about going for the amnio test but are worried we could end up miscarrying a healthy baby. Also scared the results might prove is actually down syndrome.... assuming the harmony was wrong. What puzzles me is the harmony us 1:10,000 and the quad is 1:5... Massive difference.

Harmony is 99% accurdate (but still based on statistics - DNA test)
Quadruple test is 75% accurate (again based on different factors including hormones and age).

However is the quad trying to show that something else could be wrong? I am so stressed and worried. I just simply can't replax :(

OP posts:
wwwwwwwwwwwwww · 15/09/2017 08:49

I'm sorry you are in such a stressful situation. I think you need to ask to see a doctor to have them interpret both sets of results for you.

offbeatgirl · 15/09/2017 18:51

The quad test result means that 4 out of 5 babies will not have DS. The harmony test (which is nearly 100% accurate) pretty much confirms that your baby is one of those 4 in 5 and does not have DS. Harmony also tests for several other genetic disorders (t13, t18 and sex chromosome disorders like turner's) so you can assume that it's very unlikely that your baby has any of these. There are of course other more rare genetic disorders, but personally I'd only be going for an amnio if the scan detected any issues. Why not give Arc a call? They could probably talk you through this in more detail. Smile

Original poster
Moluka · 15/09/2017 22:07

Thank you @offbeatgirl, yeah I have the amnio test on Tuesday next week. I hope everything goes well and I just get reassurance.

OP posts:
Original poster
Moluka · 15/09/2017 22:08

@offbeatgirl also spoke to ARC but still feel I need a 3rd test just to get a proper final answer. Thank you!

OP posts:
SammyL100 · 22/09/2017 18:02

My sister is in exactly the same position. She had the Panorama test done and were given a risk of less than 1 in 10,000 for Downs. But her 12 week NHS combined test has come back as 1 in 74.

She phoned up ARC who told her they have s number of similar cases and therefore advise caution to having both tests done as they can contradict. But they were unequivocal. The NIPT tests were more accurate. They also said NIPT tests analysed babys blood whereas the combined measured eonens hormones, two completely seperate things hence vastly different results.

Shes actually going to take the Panorama test results as they are more accurate and is reassured by her midwife saying the NIPT tests are the better more accurate tests.

SammyL100 · 22/09/2017 18:03

*womens hormones

Original poster
Moluka · 22/09/2017 19:32

I just had the amnio done. We decided to do the quadruple test just to check spina bifida which the harmony doesn't test for. I had the amnio results now and no issues. The baby is absolutely fine :)

OP posts:
offbeatgirl · 22/09/2017 19:46

Glad to hear all's well, and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy Smile

SammyL100 · 22/09/2017 20:00

Excellent news! How long did yhe amnio results take?

Original poster
Moluka · 22/09/2017 21:44

@sammyL100, they referred me so quick. I called the hospital that did the quadruple test and they referred me straight away. Tha same afternoon the hospital that does the amnio (on a Friday). I had the appointment booked for the following Tuesday. They came back with the results in 3 working days!

OP posts:
EEEventually · 28/09/2017 11:26

Great news. Like a happy ending! I think that 1% inaccuracy of inaccuracy of NIPT tests is mainly the opposite happening ie saying high risk then being normal because of some biological conditions the baby or mother has but I think its extremely rare for the opposite...saying low risk and then being affected.

Original poster
Moluka · 28/09/2017 17:04

Yeah I think the quad is just not a reliable test. They told me that the NHS will offer the harmony from next year once a woman has been classed as high risk after the nuchal translucency scan. Is quite a good thing for future mums. The only problem with all the tests is that they are not diagnostic (only the amnio is diagnostic). But hey ho, the perks of been pregnant at 38 years old Grin

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