Re: possible Downs syndrome

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am not able to address your question on screening tests affected by protein and iron intake. However, there are several maternal serum testings that are quite specific for Down syndrome. Also, an amniocentesis can be done at a certain point in the pregnancy that is more conclusive for a diagnosis.

In my own case, I had one blood test done (my daughter is now 16 years old), that showed the possibility of Down syndrome. I chose to not have an amniocentesis due to the risk associated with it, and because I didn't care if she had Down syndrome or not. Her size was smaller and extra ultrasounds were done to determine her size and heart health. Post-bariatric patients tend to have smaller babies too.

Dr. Len Leshin is a physician who has written a lot on Down syndrome. I bet you will find some online information from him that might address this better--I think I have his name spelled correctly!

Thanks,

Merri Lou

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of stephrd1111Sent: Monday, January 07, 2008 12:05 PM Subject: possible Downs syndrome

I have a patient who is 6 mos. post RYGB and 5 mos. pregnant. She is early 30's and has been told the baby has Downs syndrome. Of course the pregnancy wasn't planned. She has been taking protein and vit/min supplements as instructed. The nurse told me that some of the tests results are affected by protein and iron levels so she will have another test performed. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with a post-op having a Downs pregnancy or how the test may be affected by protein and iron. Thanks for any info or good websites! Copeland Medical Center918-376-8366______________________________________________________________________This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email ______________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

I have no experience with this, as we strongly promote using every precaution post GBP to prevent pregnancy. The biggest concern here is ensuring survival of the fetus and mom. This is very upsetting to me on so many levels, but taking the emotion out I suggest very good prenatal f/u with the RD, and MD's. She should keep food records and have labs done very routinely to ensure the best outcomes!stephrd1111 <stephrd1111@...> wrote: I have a patient who is 6 mos. post RYGB and 5 mos. pregnant. She is early 30's and has been told the

baby has Downs syndrome. Of course the pregnancy wasn't planned. She has been taking protein and vit/min supplements as instructed. The nurse told me that some of the tests results are affected by protein and iron levels so she will have another test performed. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with a post-op having a Downs pregnancy or how the test may be affected by protein and iron. Thanks for any info or good websites! Copeland Medical Center918-376-8366

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[Guest guest]

Hi, I have not had weight loss surgery, but I do have a 7 month old

baby boy with Down syndrome. Even though my story isn't quite the same

as what your patient is going through, I wanted to share it with you to

see if it is helpful. When I was 12 weeks pregnant, I had an

appointment at my OB's office to have an ultrasound done to check for

genetic disorders. The technician took a measurement at the back of the

baby's neck (nuchal translucency); with my baby, this measurement was

larger than normal, which brought up the thought of Down syndrome.

Through ultrasound, they can also look for the baby's nasal bone

development (which would likely be delayed w/Down syndrome) and they

can measure the baby's weight and extremeties and look at his/her heart

to detect defects (50% of babies with Downs have a heart defect). The

ultrsound results are paired w/bloodwork (different than the triple

test and AFP). At 19 weeks, I had an amniocentesis and found out I was

having a boy w/Down syndrome. My point to telling you my story is that

there are different ways to screen for Down syndrome - your patient may

have had the ultrasound combined w/blood work or the triple screen...

Either way, I asked our surgeon and physician and they were both

confident that protein and iron levels after gastic bypass surgery

should not affect the results of either screens or the diagnostic

amniocentesis.

It is also very important to realize that some screens for Down

syndrome (like the triple test) are only 70% accurate! I have met many

mothers who had a positive triple test, yet gave birth to a baby

without Downs and vice versa. The results of the ultrasound paired

w/blood work are 97% accurate.

As the mom of a wonderful baby boy with Down syndrome, I would

encourage your patient to reach out and get support. Having a child

with Downs is wonderful, but it is also overwhelming and stressful at

times (I have a typical 2 1/2 year old also so I know this describes

the emotions parents go through with all children). When my husband and

I found out Mason had Down syndrome we were completely taken aback (I

am 28 and were surprised this was happening since I am younger than 35)

and the strongest emotion I felt was being overwhelmed. I cannot put in

words how helpful our Down syndrome support group has been.

I know I've gone a bit off topic, but I'm very passionate about Down

syndrome. If your patient needs someone to talk to, I would be happy

foryou to share my e-mail address and/or phone number with her. Please

let me know if you have more questions.

Hope this helps,

Anne Marquart, MS, RD, LD

amarquart@...

(479)757-3182

>

> I have a patient who is 6 mos. post RYGB and 5 mos. pregnant. She is

> early 30's and has been told the baby has Downs syndrome. Of course

> the pregnancy wasn't planned. She has been taking protein and

vit/min

> supplements as instructed. The nurse told me that some of the tests

> results are affected by protein and iron levels so she will have

> another test performed. Just wondering if anyone has any experience

> with a post-op having a Downs pregnancy or how the test may be

> affected by protein and iron. Thanks for any info or good websites!

>

> Copeland

> Medical Center

> 918-376-8366

>

[Guest guest]

Anne- I don't know you, but I like you! Thank you for sharing your story - your heart comes through your words. I have worked with adults with Down syndrome in the past (consultant basis) and your helpfulness, attitude and compassion are no doubt a huge support/encouragement to others. Barb Moe>>> "anne_marquart" <amarquart@...> 1/9/2008 3:41 PM >>>Hi, I have not had weight loss surgery, but I do have a 7 month old baby boy with Down syndrome. Even though my story isn't quite the same as what your patient is going through, I wanted to share it with you to see if it is helpful. When I was 12 weeks pregnant, I had an appointment at my OB's office to have an ultrasound done to check for genetic disorders. The technician took a measurement at the back of the baby's neck (nuchal translucency); with my baby, this measurement was larger than normal, which brought up the thought of Down syndrome. Through ultrasound, they can also look for the baby's nasal bone development (which would likely be delayed w/Down syndrome) and they can measure the baby's weight and extremeties and look at his/her heart to detect defects (50% of babies with Downs have a heart defect). The ultrsound results are paired w/bloodwork (different than the triple test and AFP). At 19 weeks, I had an amniocentesis and found out I was having a boy w/Down syndrome. My point to telling you my story is that there are different ways to screen for Down syndrome - your patient may have had the ultrasound combined w/blood work or the triple screen... Either way, I asked our surgeon and physician and they were both confident that protein and iron levels after gastic bypass surgery should not affect the results of either screens or the diagnostic amniocentesis. It is also very important to realize that some screens for Down syndrome (like the triple test) are only 70% accurate! I have met many mothers who had a positive triple test, yet gave birth to a baby without Downs and vice versa. The results of the ultrasound paired w/blood work are 97% accurate. As the mom of a wonderful baby boy with Down syndrome, I would encourage your patient to reach out and get support. Having a child with Downs is wonderful, but it is also overwhelming and stressful at times (I have a typical 2 1/2 year old also so I know this describes the emotions parents go through with all children). When my husband and I found out Mason had Down syndrome we were completely taken aback (I am 28 and were surprised this was happening since I am younger than 35) and the strongest emotion I felt was being overwhelmed. I cannot put in words how helpful our Down syndrome support group has been. I know I've gone a bit off topic, but I'm very passionate about Down syndrome. If your patient needs someone to talk to, I would be happy foryou to share my e-mail address and/or phone number with her. Please let me know if you have more questions.Hope this helps,Anne Marquart, MS, RD, LDamarquartnw-health(479)757-3182>> I have a patient who is 6 mos. post RYGB and 5 mos. pregnant. She is > early 30's and has been told the baby has Downs syndrome. Of course > the pregnancy wasn't planned. She has been taking protein and vit/min > supplements as instructed. The nurse told me that some of the tests > results are affected by protein and iron levels so she will have > another test performed. Just wondering if anyone has any experience > with a post-op having a Downs pregnancy or how the test may be > affected by protein and iron. Thanks for any info or good websites!> > Copeland> Medical Center> 918-376-8366>This e-mail message is intended only for the named recipient(s) above and is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act 18 U.S.C. Section 2510-2521. This e-mail is confidential and may contain information that is privileged or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you have received this message in error please immediately notify the sender by return e-mail and delete this e-mail message from your computer.

[Guest guest]

Just wanted to say thanks to all who replied for your input!