Is it possible to get negative results on the ultrascreen and AFP tests but still have a baby with Down Syndrome?
Dani00518
Posted:
Member since
Is it possible to get negative results on the ultrascreen and AFP tests but still have a baby with Down Syndrome?
I had both tests and thankfully they came back negative but of course I still worry about everything. If both tests have such a high false positive....can't they also give a false negative?
boobobunny
Posted:
Member since
Re: Is it possible to get negative results on the ultrascreen and AFP tests but still have a baby with Down Syndrome?
if they performed the test to early then yes you can get a false negative
but I want to also mention that a false positve happens alot...when you are prego with a girl
Betty
Posted:
Member since
Re: Is it possible to get negative results on the ultrascreen and AFP tests but still have a baby with Down Syndrome?
I think it's much more unlikely but it is possible. They say the only 99% guarantee is the amnio.
StayandJohn
Posted:
Member since
Re: Is it possible to get negative results on the ultrascreen and AFP tests but still have a baby with Down Syndrome?
My best friend and I were pregnant together, her baby was due 3 weeks after my son. At her 32 weeks sono the tech detected a hole in the baby's heart. She went to a specialist and they confirmed it was a hole and that surgery would be needed. This hole is usually a marker for Downs. When her baby was born on 4/9/05 they detected a problem with his esophogus (sp) and surgery was preformed immediatly in columbia presbyterian. Another marker for downs. After every test was preformed pre-natal, and everything came back negative, this poor little guy was diagnosed with DS. This beautiful little boy is still in the hospital and they wont know how severe his ds is, but his first surgery is healing well and his heart surgery will be preformed in 6 weeks. So yes it is possible to get false negatives on a ds test, the only sure fire way to know is by having an amnio.
StepherG
Posted:
Member since
Re: Is it possible to get negative results on the ultrascreen and AFP tests but still have a baby with Down Syndrome?
Posted by StayandJohn
My best friend and I were pregnant together, her baby was due 3 weeks after my son. At her 32 weeks sono the tech detected a hole in the baby's heart. She went to a specialist and they confirmed it was a hole and that surgery would be needed. This hole is usually a marker for Downs. When her baby was born on 4/9/05 they detected a problem with his esophogus (sp) and surgery was preformed immediatly in columbia presbyterian. Another marker for downs. After every test was preformed pre-natal, and everything came back negative, this poor little guy was diagnosed with DS. This beautiful little boy is still in the hospital and they wont know how severe his ds is, but his first surgery is healing well and his heart surgery will be preformed in 6 weeks. So yes it is possible to get false negatives on a ds test, the only sure fire way to know is by having an amnio.
Uh...thanks for being truthful, but that really freaks me out! I finally felt great about the pregnancy. My first 2 tests came out great and the Dr. said even if I wanted an amnio he'd talk me out of it....now I'm worrying again...great.
StayandJohn
Posted:
Member since
Re: Is it possible to get negative results on the ultrascreen and AFP tests but still have a baby with Down Syndrome?
I'm sorry if that freaked you out, but you have to understand that these things happen
StepherG
Posted:
Member since
Re: Is it possible to get negative results on the ultrascreen and AFP tests but still have a baby with Down Syndrome?
Posted by StayandJohn
I'm sorry if that freaked you out, but you have to understand that these things happen
I do...and thanks for your honesty and I'm sorry your friend is going through this.
I guess thats why they say ignorace is bliss... I'll take each step as it comes and hope for the best.
Dani00518
Posted:
Member since
Re: Is it possible to get negative results on the ultrascreen and AFP tests but still have a baby with Down Syndrome?
Stacy.....How old is your friend?
StayandJohn
Posted:
Member since
Re: Is it possible to get negative results on the ultrascreen and AFP tests but still have a baby with Down Syndrome?
She just turned 29.
I just want you to know that her Dr. said this is very rare. I do apologize if I frightened you.
Emily7
Posted:
Member since
Re: Is it possible to get negative results on the ultrascreen and AFP tests but still have a baby with Down Syndrome?
Stacy - Which pre-natal tests did your friend do? Did she do the nuchal meansurements, as well as the AFP?
StayandJohn
Posted:
Member since
Re: Is it possible to get negative results on the ultrascreen and AFP tests but still have a baby with Down Syndrome?
as far as I know she had both test done
littlewilson
Posted:
Member since
Re: Is it possible to get negative results on the ultrascreen and AFP tests but still have a baby with Down Syndrome?
Yes, it's possible, but unlikely. Both the ultrascreen and the AFP lean far toward the side of flagging a larger segment of women as possible risks, rather than missing some who actually do have issues. As PPs have said, an amnio or CVS is the only way to tell for sure (or pretty damn close to sure), although the ultrascreen being negative is a great sign - it's significantly more reliable than the AFP.
