So whats the deal with nuchal fold testing?

[Pheebe]

Hi All

I have a nuchal fold scan + blood test booked for next week so I've been reading up on it. Am I right in thinking if the test says the bub has downs there's a 90% chance its right BUT if not you just get a risk factor so there's still a chance it might be downs (1 in 300 or whatever).

...very confusing...

Yes, the NF test will not tell you for definite if your baby has downs syndrome - you will just get a risk factor (ie you have a 1 in 1500 chance).

Normally if the risk is under 1 in 350 then you will be offered a amnio which will give a definite result (ie a yes or no for DS)

The anmio does have a small chance of miscarriage which is why it is not offered initially.

Hi Pheebe - your message was a bit confusing, but this might help clear things up for you. HTH

it won't tell you a foetus has downs syndrome only an amnio can do that

a nuchal takes a base point of your statistical risk based on age then adjusts it up or down dependent on results .. all pregnancies have a statistical risk but you could start at 1 in 500 or 1 in 3000 or 1 in 150 dependent on age and then go up or down

it won't tell you a foetus has downs syndrome only an amnio can do that

a nuchal takes a base point of your statistical risk based on age then adjusts it up or down dependent on results .. all pregnancies have a statistical risk but you could start at 1 in 500 or 1 in 3000 or 1 in 150 dependent on age and then go up or down

Thanks Both
I think I get it now!

it is also important to note that nuchal fold test also can indicate your risk for a number of conditions - not just down syndrome. Other trisomies - such as 13 and 18, cardiac defects and skeletal defects as well can be indicated by an increased nuchal fold.