Combination test results

[EllisH]

Hi everyone,

This must have been addressed elsewhere on the forum, but I couldn't find it: anyone any experience with the combination test? I just got the results back: 1 in 1400. I think this should be quite good (at least I feel massively relieved - had already heard earlier this week the NF was only 0.11cm), esp. given that I'll be 39 (though just about) when I'll deliver. But I would like to know more about exactly how to get my head around the risk and the error margin involved. And does anyone have any idea on the possible ranges (for my age in particular?).

Thanks!

[lillymonster]

I was told by the genetic counselor that for a 40 year old the risk of down's is 1 in 90. So if you numbers are 1 in 1400, that overides your assessed general population risk (I made that term up - but that is how I understand it). I don't think there is an error margin because it's not a accurate test - it's not a diagnoses.

I was told that it doesn't guarantee that your child will not have downs or other genetic issues. My numbers were 1 in 700 for downs and one in 3,000 for trisomy 16 and 18. The only way to know for sure is amnio - of course they could have just be trying to push the amnio on me, I don't know.

There is also a sequential (?) testing at 15-20 weeks, another blood test when they scan again. I guess they take the quad marker and the NT and combine? I never heard of it until they told me and I had DD when I was 36.

They didn't give me actual numbers for my fluid - just told me it looked good.

[tinynyota]

I found both this healthline blog post and his responses to comments to be really helpful in explaining some of the nuances of the test and how results are interpreted.http://www.healthline.com/blogs/preg...ening-for.html

But 1:1400 for a 39 year old is fantastic!! Your chance of having a baby with Downs does exist, but it's miniscule (I completely get the desire to understand the numbers, though).
Congrats!!

[gonefishin]

Your numbers are fantastic for a 39 year old! I just got mine back after a soft marker was found on my u/s and I am quite young so the numbers were very high (1:20,000) BUT I did a lot of research in the mean time and that is a GREAT number for 39. Try not to worry about tests, its all out of our hands anyway

[EllisH]

Thank you all - and that was a useful post, tinynyota! I am relieved with the number (although every time when I get good results back from a test or u/s I feel a little bit ashamed, because I actually felt deep down already all is well - which I am the last person to take for granted, since my only sibling is disabled - so why this heavy reliance on numbers). Gonefishin, I agree, there's so much (more) we cannot control, not just during the pregnancy, but also later on. I am trying to take the pregnancy as a training for later, so I will not turn into an overly concerned mother!