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Risk calculations for downs

7 replies

albairlanda · 08/12/2020 23:26

Hi, I'm 38 and 5 weeks pregnant. I'm prone to anxiety and overthinking future events. I'll be 39 about 2 months before baby's born. I'm just wondering about Down's syndrome screening. I remember with my two earlier pregnancies (when I was 29 and then 32 at term), the midwives spoke a good bit in 1st trimester about downs risk which always unnerved me. I remember after the combined test though my score was always lower risk. As someone prone to excessive anxiety I just wondered if my age will guarantee I'm in higher risk this time as for 39 I thjnk risk is 1 in 144 and High means 1 in 150 or less. Or, do the nuchal measurements at scan and blood tests also factor meaning risk could become a bit lower like 1 in 151 or more as a result of them. I'm just wondering about other peoples experience. Do I prepare myself now for definitely a higher risk for downs result now or do other parents who've been 39 or above have the experience of being lower risk after combined test. I don't want to seem negative or ignorant. I just really worry about things.

OP posts:
Emmmie · 08/12/2020 23:29

I am 40 and my baby's Down Syndrome risk was 1 in 2833, which is low risk. So, a high risk result is not "guaranteed" at your age. Best of luck OP!

albairlanda · 09/12/2020 07:52

Thank you

OP posts:
albairlanda · 09/12/2020 07:55

Good luck to you too @Emmmie x

OP posts:
TheMagicDeckchair · 11/12/2020 22:55

I’m 40 and expecting twins. My Down’s risk was given as around 1/700 for one and 1/800 for the other. The age related risk is 1/78 (which showed on the paperwork). The accuracy is lower for twins. NIPT came back as 1/4000.

Both are low risk. I think age may push it up a little but they take the NT and bloods into account too.

albairlanda · 15/12/2020 12:07

@TheMagicDeckchair sorry for my ignorance but what is NIPT?

Twins! How exciting!! Smile

OP posts:
TheMagicDeckchair · 15/12/2020 15:55

@albairlanda the NIPT is a non-invasive screening blood test you can take that analyses DNA to establish risks of the trisomies and chromosomal disorders. It’s considered better accuracy than the NHS combined test but you usually have to pay for it privately.

albairlanda · 15/12/2020 16:17

Thank you @TheMagicDeckchair

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