Can downsydrome be detected before birth?

Answer 1

Down syndrome in a baby can be identified with amniocentesis during pregnancy or at birth. See more in related link.

Answer

Amniocentesis is a procedure performed on pregnant women to determine possible risk factors with their developing fetus. A long needle is inserted through the abdomen into the uterus, being guided by an ultrasound, that extracts amniotic fluid. This amniotic fluid is then further tested to determine certain risks such as Down syndrome. Although amniocentesis does have it benefits of obtaining this kind of knowledge, it also poses threats to the fetus such as a .8% chance of miscarriage, clubfeet, trauma to the mother, preterm labor and an infection of the uterus.

According to an article published in a Canadian journal, a study in Canada showed that amniocentesis performed between weeks 11 and 13, resulted in 29 out of 4,374 women gave birth to children with clubfeet. Because of this risk, doctors generally try to avoid performing amniocentesis before week 15 of pregnancy.

A safer diagnosis of Down syndrome would be through blood screenings. The mother's blood must be drawn then the sample will be sent to a lab for further testing and possible diagnosis. The first screening is generally done between weeks 11 and 13. A second screening is done between week 15 and 20 of the pregnancy. According to the March of Dimes, karyotyping done through prenatal blood screenings cannot diagnose syndrome of the fetus but they can show whether or not the risk is high or low. Although karyoptying is not as accurate as amniocentesis, it is less invasive and poses no harm to the mother or the fetus.

Answer 2

Yes!! You need to get a test which involves fluid being taken through the belly button which is attached to the umbilical cord, then they run tests, if you are in halifax, it can be done at fetal assessment unit at the iwk hospital

Answer 3

It can be detected both before and after birth. Before birth they do an amniocentesis and count the amount of chromosome in the cells of the amniotic fluid (which is from the baby). After birth they draw blood to count the chromosomes.

My baby was diagnosed at 4 days old, though some people didn't now about it until their child was many months old.

Answer 4

Yes, in addition to current methods requiring amniocentesis, a company called Sequenom is ready to market an IV test for Down's syndrome this June 2009.

Answer 5

Yes. There have been instances, however, where Down syndrome has been detected in the fetus.

Answer 6

Down syndrome is present from conception, not from birth. It is caused by an extra copy of the 21st chromosome.