Can you find out before 3 months if baby has Downs syndrome?

There are several prenatal tests that can be used to screen for Down syndrome before 3 months of pregnancy. These tests are not diagnostic, but they can provide information about the risk of having a baby with Down syndrome.

First-trimester screening

First-trimester screening is a combination of blood tests and an ultrasound that can be done between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. The blood tests measure the levels of certain hormones in the mother's blood, and the ultrasound measures the thickness of the baby's nuchal fold (the skin at the back of the baby's neck). An increased nuchal fold thickness can be a sign of Down syndrome.

Cell-free DNA testing

Cell-free DNA testing is a blood test that can be done as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy. This test analyzes the DNA of the baby that is circulating in the mother's blood. If the baby has Down syndrome, there will be an increased amount of DNA from chromosome 21 in the mother's blood.

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)

NIPT is a newer type of cell-free DNA testing that is more accurate than traditional cell-free DNA testing. NIPT can be done as early as 9 weeks of pregnancy, and it can detect Down syndrome with a high degree of accuracy.

Diagnostic testing

If the results of the screening tests are positive, the doctor may recommend diagnostic testing. Diagnostic testing involves taking a sample of the amniotic fluid or the placenta and testing it for Down syndrome. Diagnostic testing is the only way to definitively diagnose Down syndrome.

It is important to remember that these tests are not 100% accurate. There is always a chance of a false positive or a false negative result. If you are concerned about the risk of having a baby with Down syndrome, talk to your doctor about which tests are right for you.