What tests do maternal-fetal specialists offer?
In your first trimester, you ll be offered nuchal translucency screening, an ultrasound technique that screens for Down Syndrome combined with maternal blood test analysis. The ultrasound portion of the test measures skin thickness in the lower part of the head, where babies with Down Syndrome tend to have extra folds. When combined with blood screening, nuchal translucency testing can detect Down Syndrome with over 90 percent accuracy. The test can be used with twin fetuses, as well. A new test, the nasal bone test, looks for ossification of the nasal bone. Babies with Down Syndrome have delayed ossification and are more likely to have an absence of the nasal bone in the first trimester. The nasal bone screen, done during nuchal translucency testing, improves detection of Down Syndrome by another 5 to 8 percent. These tests are non-invasive and pose no risk to the fetus.
