Can a person with a cold undergo Down syndrome screening?
Jul 08, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Lu
Introduction
The common cold symptoms are mild, with only slight coughing and runny nose, normal body temperature, and no significant physical discomfort. At this time, the hormone levels in the body have not significantly fluctuated, thus not interfering with the blood marker test results of Down syndrome screening. The examination can proceed normally without the need to postpone. However, Down syndrome screening should not be performed if the cold is accompanied by high fever or severe infection.
Generally, a Down syndrome screening can be performed when cold symptoms are mild and there is no fever. However, if the cold is accompanied by high fever or severe infection, the screening should not be conducted. If any abnormalities are detected, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. Detailed explanation is as follows:
Cold symptoms are mild, with only slight coughing and runny nose, normal body temperature, and no significant physical discomfort. At this time, hormone levels in the body have not significantly fluctuated, which will not interfere with the detection results of blood markers in the Down syndrome screening. Therefore, the test can be carried out normally without delay.
If a high fever occurs during a cold or there are severe complications such as lung infection, the body is in a state of stress. Multiple physiological indicators in the body may change, potentially affecting the accuracy of related biomarkers in the blood and leading to deviations in screening results. In such cases, testing should be postponed until the symptoms subside and body temperature returns to normal.
If planning to undergo Down syndrome screening during a cold, you should inform your doctor about your specific symptoms and body temperature. The doctor will assess whether it is appropriate to proceed with the test, to avoid affecting the accuracy of the results due to your physical condition.
