Down syndrome is a congenital disease caused by chromosome abnormality. The incidence rate of this disease will increase with the age of pregnant women. Women need to undergo screening for Down syndrome during pregnancy, so are short heads and thighs considered Down syndrome?
If a pregnant woman is carrying a Down syndrome fetus during pregnancy, the examination will show that the fetal head is larger, the biparietal diameter data is significantly larger than the standard value, and the development of limbs is slower, with obvious widening of the distance between the eyes. However, it is not possible to diagnose Down syndrome solely based on the fetus having a larger head and shorter legs. Relevant examinations are necessary to confirm the diagnosis. The inspection methods include amniocentesis and DNA testing.
If a pregnant woman shows high-risk test results, she should terminate the pregnancy as soon as possible. Because after birth, children with Down syndrome not only have a special Down syndrome appearance, but also often have serious intellectual disabilities and various organ diseases, such as digestive tract abnormalities, congenital heart disease, leukemia, and so on.
The reasons for pregnant women carrying Down syndrome fetuses are very complex, including viral infections during pregnancy, chromosomal abnormalities in either spouse, and the use of teratogenic drugs during pregnancy. Tang screening examination is very important, and the best time to check Tang screening is 12-24 weeks after pregnancy.
