Is amniocentesis still necessary after completing the Down syndrome screening?

Whether amniocentesis is needed after Down syndrome screening depends on individual circumstances. Down syndrome screening is performed between weeks 15 and 20 of pregnancy. By analyzing the pregnant woman's blood sample and considering the gestational age, this test can comprehensively assess whether the fetus has genetic abnormalities. If the Down syndrome screening result indicates low risk, further non-invasive DNA testing or amniocentesis is not required. Instead, a 4D ultrasound scan can be scheduled between weeks 22 and 26 of pregnancy to check for any signs of fetal developmental abnormalities. However, if the screening shows moderate or high risk, amniocentesis or non-invasive prenatal DNA testing is recommended to confirm whether the fetus has congenital genetic disorders, particularly to rule out trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome), and to determine the presence of any genetic abnormalities.