HOW TO DETECT DOWN'S SYNDROME- PRECAUTIONS

FOR MOTHERS-TO-BE n Ask your doctor about availability of prenatal screening tests for chromosomal aneuploidies and neural tube defects and the right time to get them done.n Or, on the recommendation of your doctor, you can get enrolled under the ongoing prenatal screening programme at Genetic Centre, GMCH. FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS n Prenatal Screening tests for chromosomal aneuploidies and neural tube defects are as important as any other examination during pregnancy. Be informed about the importance and the significance of these tests, their availability in your area and the right timings of these tests. n Explain the need of getting these tests done to your patients and get these tests done at the appropriate time keeping in consideration the period of legal medical termination of pregnancy in India. n Prenatal screening is not mere biomarker testing but is a complete programme encompassing testing, correct interpretation of results, ultrasound evaluation, confirmatory tests and counselling to patient at all levels of testing. n Different sets of soft-markers are evaluated in first and second trimester of pregnancy. n Update yourself with latest soft-markers associated with a risk of carrying a fetus with chromosomal aneuploidies. FOR FAMILIES WITH PREVIOUS DOWN'S BABY n Having one baby affected with DS does not mean that other pregnancies would also be affected. For further pregnancies, go for prenatal screening for chromosomal aneuploidies. n Get in touch with societies working for the betterment of DS children. Genetic Centre at Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, along with Genetic Unit, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Genetic Unit, Maulana Azad Medical College, is very soon going to launch a society for Down Syndrome for the betterment of DS children. FOR GOVERNMENT n Recognise the significance of prevention-based screening and bring it into focus of maternal and child health care. n Introduce prenatal screening facilities as pilot studies at different centres in India. n Institute programmes promoting awareness among general public and in the long run make such preventive screening programmes mandatory for all.

With the support of Chandigarh Administration, at Genetic Centre, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh, prenatal screening tests are available under the Prenatal Screening Programme to all pregnant women at nominal rates. Any pregnant women can get herself enrolled and screened for these fetal aneuploidies at Genetic Centre, GMCH with the recommendation and referral from her obstetrician. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that DS screening test must be offered to all pregnant women regardless of age or prior history.