Question

Case Scenario:

Ruba is a 39 years old, pregnant woman at 8 weeks gestation, and her husband, Ali, is 50 years old, arrives at antenatal clinic for follow-up. The couples have been married for 12 years. Ruba completes the initial paperwork, and the nurse notes the following obstetric history: G6 T0 P0 A5 L0 M0. Ruba and Ali asked the nurse many questions regarding Down syndrome as Ali’s sister, recently, has a boy with Down syndrome.

Q1. What are the fetal screening and diagnostic procedures would the nurse anticipate for Ruba?

Q2. What are the possible screening tests can be performed to reassure Ruba and Ali regarding the possibility of having a child with Down syndrome?   

Answer 1

Ans1) Fetal screening:

The two types of diagnostic tests are chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis. Diagnostic tests for specific genetic diseases must be specially requested. These tests have different accuracy rates, depending on which test is ordered. CVS is performed between 10 to 14 weeks of pregnancy.

Ans2)

screening test for Down's syndrome: available between weeks 10 and 14 week of pregnancy. Also called the combined test because it combines an ultrasound scan with a blood test.