Decision box

All pregnant women can choose to have screening. The risk of Trisomy 21 (T21), Trisomy 18 (T18) and Trisomy 13 (T13) increases with the woman’s age.

• It is caused by having an extra copy of chromosome 21. 
• People with T21 have intellectual disabilities that vary from slight to moderate, but are sometimes serious, with poor muscle tone, very supple joints, greater risk of vision, hearing defects, cardiac and/or gastro-intestinal defects. 
• 60% of children with T21 require specialized home care. 
• Some adults with T21 have jobs and are almost completely independent. 
• People with T21 can develop meaningful emotional relationships and fulfilling lives for themselves, their families and friends

• T18 and T13 are caused by having an extra copy of chromosome 18 or 13. 
• Many pregnancies with T18 and T13 will be miscarried or result in the fetus dying in utero. 
• Babies born with T18 and T13 rarely live more than a few months because of serious heart and brain defects, and poor growth before and after birth.

(see the printable version for more details)

OPTION 1: Serum Integrated Prenatal Screening (SIPS) test
OPTION 2: Integrated Prenatal Screen (IPS) test
OPTION 3: Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT)
OPTION 4: No test

For options 1, 2 and 3: 

• If the test says the risk is high, an amniocentesis will be offered as a diagnostic test.
• What is amniocentesis? An amniocentesis is a diagnostic test that checks the chromosomes of fetuses considered to be at risk of specific problems such as Down syndrome. A small sample of the liquid surrounding the fetus is taken using a needle inserted through the mother’s abdomen into her uterus under continues ultrasound guidance.