Dear Archie,

I got the blood test for triple marker done in the 16th week.(My first trimester triple screen too was negative and the nuchal fold thicknees was within normal limits)

The 16th week results are as follows:

Alpha feto protein 15.70 IU/ml
E3 UNCONJUGATED 3.10 ng/ml
Beta subunit of HCG 18,533 mIU/ml

Statistical evaluation of the result:

Down's sybdrome risk : 1/1324 triple screen negative
Tri. 18 risk : 1/848 triple screen negative
Spina Bifida risk : 1/62268 triple screen negative

My gynaecologist says that the triple screen test results are fine and no further testing is required for this purpose.

Archie, I would like your comments on this issue.

I do not want amniocentesis to be done and the doc says it is not required in my case.

Archie awaiting your reply on this issue

Thanks
Madhu

archie replied. Madhu,
congratulations you are all set to enjoy pregancy, no amnio is required here.
archie Madhu replied. The anamoly scan is basically an ultrasound scan done netween 20-22 weeks. This is the main scan. In this the sonologist takes a detailed view of the baby. Various measurements are taken to check whether the baby’s growth is on track and and the sonologist looks for conditions such as cleft lip and palate, spina bifida, plus any abnormalities of the brain, heart and other organs. The sonologist will also count all your baby's fingers and toes and view/detect abnormalities if any.

So anamoly scan is basically the ultrasound scan which you are going to get it done at 20 weeks as per your reply. So do not worry.

Nuchal fold thickness or nuchal translucency is a collection of fluid under the skin at the back of a baby's neck at 10-14 weeks that can be measured using ultrasound. All babies have some fluid, but in many babies with Down's syndrome, the nuchal translucency (NT) is increased.

An NT scan is a method of assessing whether your baby is likely to have Down's syndrome

NT scans are usually performed from 11 to 13 weeks + 6 days of pregnancy

But u need not worry as u have done the second trimester triple marker test for down's syndrome which is negative . So relax!!!

Plus u r going for the scan at 2o weeks.

So enjoy your pregnancy.

Madhu
Nancy Drew replied. Hey madhu,
I had my AFP too around the same time as you. And my doc said they were neg so good... but dint mention anything more. What is this nuchal fold thickness u are talking abt? What test did they do for that and when? I never had that done apart from an ultrasound in my 8th week.
I will be having an ultrasound in the 20th week too.

So can u please update me?
thanks!
ND Madhu replied. Dear Archie ,

FYI I would be going for 20 weeks anamoly ultrasound scan (3D) around 18 to 20th jan.

Madhu