Applying for Amniocentesis Subsidy for Newborns with Previous Delays
Application for Amniocentesis Subsidy for Newborns Doctor, my first child is a child with developmental delays (currently 8 years old), but he had tests around one and a half years old, and all reports, including chromosome tests, were normal. Can I apply for financial assistance...
Dr. Liu Yuhong Reply:
According to the revised "Regulations on Subsidies or Reductions for Prenatal Health Care Measures" by the National Health Bureau of the Ministry of Health and Welfare on April 19, 2006, relevant subsidy fees are provided for prenatal genetic diagnosis, specifically cyt...[Read More] Applying for Amniocentesis Subsidy for Newborns with Previous Delays
Ensuring Healthy Offspring: Age Considerations for Parents
Having healthy offspring? Hello Dr. Chang! I would like to ask you two questions: 1. I am a 43-year-old male; at what age can I marry a woman to have a healthy offspring? 2. As a 43-year-old older male, if I marry a 42-year-old older female, will we have a risk of having a child ...
Dr. Zhang Kunmin Reply:
Hello, the genetic material of a fetus generally comes from both the father and the mother, and its normality is related to many factors, with age being just one of them. 1. Advanced maternal age: As a mother’s age increases, the likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities in the c...[Read More] Ensuring Healthy Offspring: Age Considerations for Parents
Essential Prenatal Screening: Understanding Tests for Down Syndrome and More
Prenatal examination items Hello, doctor! I have several questions. 1. If I undergo a quadruple marker screening for Down syndrome (which can detect neural tube defects), should I also test for spinal muscular atrophy? 2. What is the risk of miscarriage associated with amniocente...
Dr. Zhong Yipei Reply:
Hello: Your questions are answered as follows: 1. The quadruple marker screening for Down syndrome (which can detect neural tube defects) and spinal muscular atrophy are different tests and cannot replace each other. 2. Amniocentesis has approximately a 0.5% risk of causing misca...[Read More] Essential Prenatal Screening: Understanding Tests for Down Syndrome and More
Understanding the Role of High-Level Ultrasound and Amniocentesis in Detecting Fetal Abnormalities
Can high-level ultrasound or amniocentesis determine the severity of fetal abnormalities? I had abnormal alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in my second serum test, so I underwent a high-level ultrasound. Although the doctor examined for an hour and then discussed the findings with u...
Dr. Lü Lizheng Reply:
There is no need to worry excessively. Abnormal levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) often result in false positives, and if a high-level ultrasound does not reveal any abnormalities, it is usually considered normal. If there are still concerns, it is advisable to visit a medical ce...[Read More] Understanding the Role of High-Level Ultrasound and Amniocentesis in Detecting Fetal Abnormalities
Understanding Maternal Blood Screening: Two vs. Four Markers for Down Syndrome
Maternal serum screening for Down syndrome: two-marker or four-marker test? Hello, I am currently receiving prenatal care at your hospital and I am 15 weeks pregnant. Last week, I had the maternal serum screening for Down syndrome, but I forgot to ask the doctor whether it was a ...
Dr. Li Guanghan Reply:
It is a dual indicator, thank you.[Read More] Understanding Maternal Blood Screening: Two vs. Four Markers for Down Syndrome
Understanding Maternal Blood Test Results for Down Syndrome at 21 Weeks
Regarding the maternal serum screening report for Down syndrome? Hello, Doctor. I am currently 21 weeks pregnant. Yesterday, I went for a prenatal check-up, and my maternal serum screening report showed a risk of 1 in 398 (two years ago, when I had my first child, it was 1 in 11,...
Dr. Dong Yuhong Reply:
Hello: Amniocentesis can provide information about the fetal chromosomes, and having a chromosomal examination may help alleviate your stress. You can discuss this further with your obstetrician. Thank you.[Read More] Understanding Maternal Blood Test Results for Down Syndrome at 21 Weeks
Understanding Down Syndrome Risk in Pregnancy: Key Questions Answered
Questions about babies with Down syndrome? Hello Doctor, I underwent a maternal serum screening for Down syndrome at 11 weeks and 3 days of pregnancy, and the test results are as follows: PAPP-A: 1.9 mIU/ml (0.63 MoM) and free Beta-HCG: 120 ng/ml (2.19 MoM). The risk of this fetu...
Dr. Zhuang Zhijian Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. I would like to respond to your question and provide the following suggestions: Generally speaking, blood test results can serve as a reference. You may consult your physician and even consider an ultrasound to assist in the diagnosis. Lastly, I...[Read More] Understanding Down Syndrome Risk in Pregnancy: Key Questions Answered
Understanding Down Syndrome Screening: Should You Consider Amniocentesis?
Regarding Down syndrome screening? Hello Dr. Huang: I am currently 16 weeks pregnant. In my Down syndrome screening report, the doctor informed me that my results differ from the standard value, which is 1 in 1252, while mine is only 1 in 654. Should I consider undergoing amnioce...
Dr. Huang Jianxun Reply:
Dear njnhy: If you are closer to the end of the year, the age reference value will be lower. As long as the test result is <1/270, it is considered low risk and there is no need for amniocentesis. Wishing you peace and health. Sincerely, Dr. Huang Jian-Hsun, Director of Obstet...[Read More] Understanding Down Syndrome Screening: Should You Consider Amniocentesis?
Understanding Advanced Maternal Age: Risks and Testing Options
Advanced maternal age Hello Doctor, I would like to inquire about issues related to advanced maternal age. I was born at the end of March in 1974. If I become pregnant before the end of this year and give birth next year, would I be considered an advanced maternal age? Would I ne...
Dr. Chen Xuhui Reply:
According to regulations, if the actual age exceeds 34 years on the day of amniocentesis, there is government assistance available. Generally, amniocentesis is performed around four months into the pregnancy. A "geriatric pregnancy" refers to a pregnancy in which the mo...[Read More] Understanding Advanced Maternal Age: Risks and Testing Options
Can Amniocentesis Test for Down Syndrome and SMA Simultaneously?
Down syndrome and spinal muscular atrophy? The physician asks: To test whether the baby in the womb has Down syndrome, an amniocentesis is performed to collect amniotic fluid for chromosomal analysis. Can the amniotic fluid collected also be used for the analysis of spinal muscul...
Dr. Li Guanghan Reply:
Hello: We apologize, but our hospital currently does not offer this testing item. Please inquire with a medical center. Thank you! Hsinchu City Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.[Read More] Can Amniocentesis Test for Down Syndrome and SMA Simultaneously?
Understanding Pregnancy Weeks: Calculation Methods and Screening Concerns
Questions about gestational age? Hello, doctor! I apologize for bothering you. I would like to ask you: 1. How is the gestational age calculated? Is it counted from the last menstrual period before pregnancy or from the actual date of conception? Why does my doctor refer to a c...
Dr. Lin Zhaopei Reply:
1. Previously, the calculation was based on the menstrual cycle, so if calculating from the date of conception, two weeks should be subtracted. 2. If the cycle is irregular, ultrasound can be used to adjust the dates, but the values are still calculated based on the menstrual cyc...[Read More] Understanding Pregnancy Weeks: Calculation Methods and Screening Concerns
Understanding Omphalocele: Symptoms, Causes, and Prognosis for Expecting Mothers
Incidental umbilical protrusion (umbilical bulge) is characterized by a noticeable swelling or bulging at the navel area. This condition may become more prominent when the individual is crying, coughing, or straining. It is often painless and may resolve on its own, but in some c...
Dr. Cao Guotao Reply:
Hello, ma'am! Your baby seems to have what is known as an omphalocele, which is a defect in the abdominal wall that causes the intestines to be enclosed in the peritoneum. The exact cause of this condition is unknown. The usual management involves surgical intervention by a ...[Read More] Understanding Omphalocele: Symptoms, Causes, and Prognosis for Expecting Mothers
Understanding the Risks of Amniocentesis During Pregnancy
The risks of amniocentesis? I am currently about 17 weeks pregnant. The maternal blood test showed a risk of Down syndrome at 1 in 3000. Although this is considered a low-risk group, I still want to self-fund an amniocentesis. However, I have some concerns. Will the needle used f...
Dr. Xu Junzheng Reply:
Amniocentesis is typically performed under ultrasound monitoring and should not cause any harm. Thank you![Read More] Understanding the Risks of Amniocentesis During Pregnancy
Understanding Abdominal Ultrasound Results in Pregnancy: Key Concerns and Insights
Obstetric abdominal ultrasound issues? Hello, I am currently 19 weeks and 4 days pregnant. Today, during my prenatal check-up, the doctor performed an abdominal ultrasound and informed me that most of the organs appear normal, with no cleft lip. The heart and other organs are nor...
Dr. Cao Guotao Reply:
Hello! The digestive organs appear white on the ultrasound, which may indicate that the stomach is empty and requires temporary observation to see if it will fill up later. However, it is advisable to consult your obstetrician-gynecologist, as their ultrasound may provide clearer...[Read More] Understanding Abdominal Ultrasound Results in Pregnancy: Key Concerns and Insights
Understanding Fetal Left Ventricular Calcification: Risks and Concerns
Ventricular calcification spots Hello, I am currently 21 weeks pregnant. During my 20-week prenatal check-up, a white spot was found in the left ventricle of the fetus. The doctor said it is ventricular calcification. Will this have any impact on the fetus? Is there a risk of hav...
Dr. Huang Jianxun Reply:
Hello: If you are really concerned about Down syndrome, please consider undergoing amniocentesis. As for the ventricular calcifications, please ask your physician for a more detailed explanation. Sincerely, Dr. Huang Chien-Hsun, Obstetrics and Gynecology.[Read More] Understanding Fetal Left Ventricular Calcification: Risks and Concerns
Amniocentesis: Beyond Down Syndrome Testing and Its Benefits
Amniocentesis Amniocentesis, in addition to screening for Down syndrome, can also test for various genetic disorders, including but not limited to cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, and other chromosomal abnormalities such as trisomy 18 and trisomy 13. It can also assess the fetal lu...
Dr. Zhang Yongxuan Reply:
It can also detect the sex of the fetus, fetal maturity, chromosomal abnormalities, sex-linked disorders, and congenital metabolic disorders. Additionally, it assesses the overall health status of the fetus.[Read More] Amniocentesis: Beyond Down Syndrome Testing and Its Benefits
Understanding Down Syndrome Screening: Key Considerations for Expecting Mothers
Regarding Down syndrome screening..? Hello Doctor: I am currently 20 weeks pregnant and last week I received the maternal serum screening report for Down syndrome, which showed a risk of 1 in 1000. During a previous ultrasound, I asked the doctor to check the nuchal translucency,...
Dr. Lü Lizheng Reply:
I later discovered that my cousin had a baby with Down syndrome when she was 33 or 34 years old, which made me very concerned about whether I might be in a high-risk group. [Most cases of Down syndrome are caused by mutations, and only a very small percentage are due to hereditar...[Read More] Understanding Down Syndrome Screening: Key Considerations for Expecting Mothers
Understanding Maternal Blood Screening for Down Syndrome: Test Results and Next Steps
Maternal blood screening for Down syndrome? Hello, doctor. I am over 17 weeks pregnant and underwent maternal serum screening for Down syndrome. At that time, my weight was 42 kg. My test results are as follows: AFP: 3.05, open NTD: 1/120, Risk value: 1/6400. How should I interpr...
Dr. Li Guanghan Reply:
Hello: Please tell me how your obstetrician interprets the prenatal check-ups? What suggestions do they have? We can discuss further afterwards. Hsinchu City Hospital Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.[Read More] Understanding Maternal Blood Screening for Down Syndrome: Test Results and Next Steps
Understanding High-Level Ultrasound for Down Syndrome Screening
Maternal blood screening for Down syndrome? Hello, doctor. The obstetrician recommended that I go to Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital for a high-level ultrasound. However, regarding the increased risk of neural tube defects, the doctor mentioned that the fetus's spine app...
Dr. Li Guanghan Reply:
Hello: The probability of neural tube defects is higher in maternal blood screening. A detailed ultrasound examination showed no abnormalities. If you are still concerned, you may consider undergoing amniocentesis, but please be aware that this procedure carries a risk of miscarr...[Read More] Understanding High-Level Ultrasound for Down Syndrome Screening
Understanding Beta-HCG Levels: Implications for Pregnancy and Testing
Beta chorion Hello, I would like to ask what is beta-hCG (beta human chorionic gonadotropin)? Is a high level related to pregnancy? If the level is elevated, should I return to the hospital for a recheck, and will I need to undergo a blood test?
Dr. Chen Changfu Reply:
Your inquiry likely pertains to the "free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin" test, which is one of the screening tests for Down syndrome in maternal serum during pregnancy weeks 15 to 20. If the screening value is elevated (>2.5 MoM), the risk of Down syndrome increa...[Read More] Understanding Beta-HCG Levels: Implications for Pregnancy and Testing