downs syndrome

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my daughter is having a baby she is 17 weeks pregnant she is 25 years old and had a blood test of spina bifida and downs syndrome, the downs came back positive. She has just come from the hospital where she has had an ultrasound done. the baby head was moving up and down the tech said that the skin looked thick when babys head was back but then ok when normal position. Does this sound like a downs baby and, if the baby is very active in the womb does this mean the baby is not downs. Thank you

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Specializes in Case Mgmt; Mat/Child, Critical Care.

Scot,

Please read the 3 pages of your original post from yesterday. Excellent information and advice was given in those posts. :)

In short, the tech performing your daughters ultrasound is not qualified to make any type of diagnosis. The only reliable testing for Downs is an amniocentesis or chorionic villi sampling. The ultrasound needs to be reviewed for certain characteristics by a perinatologist, and then, they would likely suggest an amnio.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Yes, like said before, NO blood test or any sort of ultrasound (even 3-D) on mom can definitively diagnose Down's Syndrome (or any other chromosomal defect) in an unborn baby. Please, if you are this concerned, have your daughter request amniocentesis (the DEFINITIVE way to diagnose such syndromes). And make sure she receives a consult with a perinatologist, if sufficient risk or concerns warrant this. THIS person can give you all the information you need to BEGIN preparations for the possibility of having a Down's Syndrome-affected child born in your family. there are MANY resources for Down's families out there, too.

I realize you must be very upset and anxious over all this, so I can see why you might start a second thread on this subject. My heart goes out to you. But please take the time to read the answers in the other thread you started; you received some REALLY reassuring accounts and advice there. I wish you and your family all the best. Let us know what happens in the future, if you are able! Hugs.

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Specializes in cardiac, diabetes, OB/GYN.

I know you want to believe there is a way to tell other than what has been mentioned, but there is not short of an amnio or any of the other options..YOU have to try to relax or your daughter will have an extremely stressful pregancy worrying about YOU! Please understand that what you describe happens ALL THE TIME with good outcomes for the majority of cases......Honest....{{{{}}}

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Thank you very much for all replies I will let you all know. hugs to everyone

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