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sunshine28
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/08 501 total posts
Name:
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Neural Tube Defect Question
I feel like I am always worrying about test results during this pregnancy. I am waiting for my AFP resutls to come back. I've already had a normal CVS, so I know there are no chromosomal abnormalities. I was wondering if anencehaly and/or spina bifida are sometimes identified on a first trimester utlrascreen. I had my ultrascreen done at NSUH and the baby looked good. Is it possible to see indicators of NTD so early?
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Posted 11/8/08 1:20 PM  |
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Goobster
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Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
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Re: Neural Tube Defect Question
I had alot of concerns about NTDs and the AFP. I understand the worry you feel, I felt that too and still do.
At the 12 week ultrascreen, they really cannot detect neural tube defects such as spina bifida, but they should be able to detect anencephaly by the appearance of the head/skull.
Your AFP will be the best indiction for spina bifida (and anencephaly). I had the AFP and sure enough it came back with a borderline elevation. Supposedly the AFP has a lot of false positives, so my dr suggested we redo the test. One week later, it came back normal. Had it come back abnormal again, my dr was going to send me for a high level scan to see the spine and brain in more detail. But since it was normal second time, we didn't do that.
At 20 weeks, we did the level 2 and they showed me the spine was normal, as was the brain.
HTH
Message edited 11/13/2008 12:47:50 AM.
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| Posted 11/8/08 3:55 PM |
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sunshine28
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/08 501 total posts
Name:
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Re: Neural Tube Defect Question
Thanks for responding. Let's put it this way, if it's bordeline or positive, I'm pushing to go right to ultrasound, this way I get immediate results and don't have to weait another long week.
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| Posted 11/8/08 5:23 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Neural Tube Defect Question
Posted by sunshine28
Thanks for responding. Let's put it this way, if it's bordeline or positive, I'm pushing to go right to ultrasound, this way I get immediate results and don't have to weait another long week.
My dr did NOT want to do the ultrasound if the second came back normal. He is not a fan of high powered ultrasounds that he feels are uneccesary. He felt another blood test then just the regular level 2 at 20 weeks would be sufficient.
I could understand you feeling that way. I was going to push for it, but my dr reassured me if I didn't NEED it, that he would rather me not get it.
I agree looking back, plus don't be so sure you could get an appt for a high level US (only special places do them) any sooner than you would get back another set of blood test results (about 6 days).
HTH
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| Posted 11/8/08 11:52 PM |
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Re: Neural Tube Defect Question
Doesn't the CVS test for the same things as those other tests?
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| Posted 11/9/08 12:10 AM |
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sunshine28
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/08 501 total posts
Name:
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Re: Neural Tube Defect Question
No, the one thing that CVS does NOT detect, that amnio does is NTDs.
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| Posted 11/9/08 7:05 AM |
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