AFP came back high for Down Syndrome

The dr. called earlier to say that my AFP placed me at 1/211 for Down Syndrome and that because I was under 1/300 he was recommending an amnio.

My 12 week NT was very good. Although I'm 36, they told me I had the results of a 20 year old. The sono was great and so was the finger prick test.

I am just so worried. I'm having the test early next week.

Has anyone had an experience like this?

Re: AFP came back high for Down Syndrome

See my quad screen post. My AFP was great and then I had the quad screen and we came back with a soft marker for DS. I decided to do an amnio because i need to know, I couldn't wait 23 weeks worrying about the what ifs. Hopefully, I will get my results on Monday. The waiting is so hard.

Praying everything works out for you.

Re: AFP came back high for Down Syndrome

no experience to share, just wanted to give you some and wish you luck at next week's test!!

Re: AFP came back high for Down Syndrome

Because of your age it will never come back great. I am 38 and I skipped the test because I knew I would get #s like that. I had an amnio so I could know for sure.

I am sure you will be fine!!!!! Easier said than done but try not to stress. The amnio will give you the peace of mind .

GL and if you have any ques on the amnio let me know. Its really not that bad at all.

Re: AFP came back high for Down Syndrome

I remember when I was pregnant with my first DD, my combined results were 1:5. Everything turned out fine, but we learned later on that the most important piece to that whole puzzle is the nuchal fold test (and mine was great at that time, that's why everyone was surprised). So since yours came out so well, I hope that gives you at least some consolation...

Good luck to you and baby!


ETA: Also, I know it's hard, but when you put it into perspective, that result gives you less than 1/2 percent chance of Downs...

Message edited 3/2/2012 8:33:57 PM.

Re: AFP came back high for Down Syndrome

Colleen, I'm sorry that this is causing you worry. I just had the test and am waiting for the results.

I myself might put more stock in the NT because the AFP tends to give false positives. That being said I know I would also be worried. Praying for you and the baby and hope your results alleviate your concerns

Re: AFP came back high for Down Syndrome

My NT scan was high, combined with my blood work gave me a 1:19 Downs ratio. They also saw some soft markers (extra digit, calcium deposit on the heart). We chose not to do the amnio and stop seeing the high risk doctors. My son was born perfectly healthy. I think 1:211 is a great ratio, even my ratio at 1:19 indicated a 95% chance that everything was okay and it was. I'm not a big fan of these tests, they cause a lot of unnecessary worrying, not good for the moms!

Re: AFP came back high for Down Syndrome

For both my pregnanies- 1st one at 38 and this one at 40- I had high risks come back from bloodwork. Because I needed to know and could not go the whole pregnancy worrying, I opted for the amnios. Everything came back fine for both. With this pregnancy, my chances for DS came back 1/7. Like the pp said, age plays a huge factor when the enter the information into a computer and it is all based on a mathematical algorythm that no one can understand. It is just a screening, not a diagnosis. I am sure everything will turn out fine. Try and stay as calm as you can. Trust me, I know it is hard

Re: AFP came back high for Down Syndrome

that just recently happened to me with almost the same numbers. I am 33 though. I am not doing an aminio or risking anything that might harm the baby. I figured the numbers are low to begin with even with younger mothers. There are also a lot of moms on here with much lower numbers who had a healthy baby.

Re: AFP came back high for Down Syndrome

My NT came back good and my first blood work came back with a 1 in 66 chance of down's. I think my odds went down from one in 200 something based on my age.I was sick over this for weeks and it almost ruined the holidays for me.We decided against an amino. My Afp came back and brought my chances to 1 in 446. We saw a genetic specialist after the odds went down to 1 in 66. She also confirmed what I keep hearing and reading about these tests, that it isn't 100% or an exact science and is just a bunch of figures and statistics punched into a computer. I agree with the previous comments that they cause MANY false positives and undue worry. Good luck to you and sending many prayers.

Re: AFP came back high for Down Syndrome

Ladies thank you so much for your reassurances. I feel so much better after reading about your experiences. I'm going ahead with the amnio for peace of mind but I feel much more positive about it.

Lisa - I wish you all the luck in the world. I know your test will turn out great.

Re: AFP came back high for Down Syndrome

Re: AFP came back high for Down Syndrome

I feel silly asking, but what is the AFP test?

Message edited 3/4/2012 12:13:29 AM.

Re: AFP came back high for Down Syndrome

I am sooo sorry you are going through this ~ I went through the same with AFP for the Nural Tube Defects ~ I was 1/161 ~ You have to go with your gut and what you feel is right for you and your family.

I chose not to have the amnio ~ my own personal reasons and waited for my 19 week sono ~ everything looked good but sono's are not a 100% ~ I wish you the best of luck in your decision ~ think positive thoughts.