Understanding the First trimester prenatal screening report???

[nancy10]

I have had my results back from the Nuchal fold/blood tests. The letter sent with the results has explained that the result is low risk. There are a few results listed under Trisomy 21 (Downs Syndrome) and a few results under Trisomy 13/18. High lighted in pink pen says 'Adjusted risk 1:13441. I'm presuming this is the risk of my child having DS. Am I right?

Yes, you are right.

As a worrier by nature I did a bit of reading on the whole testing business and what it means. A nice book to check out if you're like me is "How safe is your baby...? The facts behind the official advice" by Annie Vickerstaff. I got it from the library and it has really stopped me worrying.

Depending on your age you get a basis expected risk. Using blood tests and your ultrasound they look for additional markers that could indicate a child with DS. A normal child could also have these markers but the more markers you have the greater the possibility. For a woman of 25 years is 1 in 1350 so your adjusted risk is much lower so basically don't worry.

FYI Trisomy 13 is Patau's syndrome and 18 is Edward's syndrome.