How to Detect Down Syndrome with a 4D Ultrasound
Expectant mothers often wonder about the health of their growing fetus. In particular, many women worry about the possibility of having a baby with Down syndrome, a genetic disorder characterized by impaired cognitive aptitude and physical growth as well as a defined set of facial features. Although this disorder can be diagnosed during pregnancy through the use of a procedure called amniocentesis, this method has potential risks that many women are not willing to accept. Fortunately, 4D ultrasound technology can often detect Down syndrome without posing health risks to the mother or fetus. By gathering information about the skeletal and cardiovascular systems of a fetus in the womb, 4D ultrasounds can provide a more accurate detection of Down syndrome than a routine ultrasound is able to.
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Instructions
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Examine the face. Doctors use 4D ultrasounds to examine the facial bones of the fetus. A small or absent nasal bone suggests an increased risk for Down syndrome.
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Examine the heart. 4D ultrasounds allow for numerous views of the heart and the vessels surrounding the heart. If any defects, such as a ventricular or atrial septal defect, are present, your doctor will likely assume that Down syndrome is a potential cause.
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Examine the spine. In many cases, fetuses with Down syndrome have an underdeveloped twelfth rib, or are missing it entirely. Whereas routine ultrasounds do not have the capability to provide accurate images of the ribs and spine, 4D ultrasounds allow doctors to get a closer look so that they can be counted and measured.
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Tips & Warnings
Although a 4D ultrasound can be more accurate than a routine ultrasound, the results can sometimes be incorrect. If you undergo a 4D ultrasound that suggests that your fetus has one or more of the abnormalities listed, do not assume with 100% certainty that your child will be born with Down syndrome. Though the risk for Down syndrome increases with positive results for these malformations, you won't have a definite diagnosis until birth.
