Ultrasound results - Down Syndrome Message Board

Mindy Carol · 04-25-2002, 03:05 PM

I recently had an AFP test showing that my baby was at an increased risk of Downs Syndrome. My Ultra Sound showed the baby waving with outstretched hands. I have been told that Downs Syndrome babies do not ever unclench their fists so the outstretched fingers showed the baby does not have Down Syndrome. Is this true?

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Connor5 · 05-30-2002, 12:42 AM

Mindy, the AFP test is extremely unreliable. I cannot tell you how many women have had the test and it was wrong. I would rely more on the ultrasound. I also had an Amnio and the results said that my baby had trisomy 18. We were terrified! I had several ultrasounds and they all showed him to be fine. Well, he is now 6 years old and is so beautiful and healthy. Honestly, keep having the ultrasounds, they can tell you so much more. Your post was more than a month ago. What have you found out?

Mindy Carol · 05-30-2002, 10:28 AM

So far, nothing more. They haven't scheduled my next ultrasound, but I am about 20 weeks along and my next appointment is in a week. My doctor has assured me that there were no tell tale indications of any problems during the sonogram and that the baby is developing right on schedule. Also, as you said, I have heard horror story after horror story about AFP test results since I first posted. My husband and I feel pretty confident that everything is fine, but we were both pretty scared for a while. I am guessing me next ultrasound will be in about four weeks.

Mindy Carol · 07-11-2002, 10:29 AM

Just as an update... we had a sonogram on Monday and everything still looks good. I am still wanting any information on ultrasound results and the question I asked initially. Please respond if you have any insight or information.

hannahs mom · 07-11-2002, 12:33 PM

Mindy,
My OB actually steered us away from the AFP test because of its inaccuracies. He started to worry when they couldn't find all 4 chambers of Hannahs heart on my ultrasounds. Don't worry though. Hannah was born 11 weeks early due to some complications I had and we didn't know she had DS until 2 weeks later. As far as the had thing, my little one doesn't clench her little fists all of the time, as a matter of fact she holds on to toys and does everything a baby does. In everything I have read I have never seen anything about downs babys always clenching their fists. As a matter of fact while going through some pictures last night I found an ultrasound picture of hannah with an open hand. Good luck to you!

[This message has been edited by hannahs mom (edited 07-12-2002).]