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What Does a High Risk Screening Result Mean?

Receiving a higher-risk screening result can be unsettling. It is important to understand what the result actually means and what options are open to you. This guide explains the next steps calmly and clearly, so you can make informed decisions.

Table of Contents

  1. What a Higher Risk Result Means
  2. Your Options After a Higher Risk Result
  3. NIPT as a Next Step
  4. Diagnostic Tests
  5. [FAQ](#faq}

What a Higher Risk Result Means

A higher risk result means that, based on your screening, the chance of your baby having a chromosomal condition such as Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, or Patau syndrome is above a set threshold. In England, the cutoff for Down syndrome is 1 in 150. A result of 1 in 100, for example, is considered higher risk. Crucially, this does not mean your baby has the condition — most women with a higher risk result go on to have babies without the condition. It simply means further testing is offered.

Your Options After a Higher Risk Result

After a higher risk result you will be offered an appointment with a specialist midwife or fetal medicine consultant. They will explain your result in detail and discuss your options. You may choose to have a non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT), a diagnostic test such as CVS or amniocentesis, or no further testing at all. You may also wish to take time to consider your decision, and you are not pressured to act immediately.

NIPT as a Next Step

NIPT is a blood test that analyses your baby's DNA in your bloodstream. It detects around 99% of Down syndrome pregnancies with a false-positive rate below 1%. On the NHS it is offered free after a higher risk combined screening result. NIPT is not diagnostic, so a positive NIPT result is usually followed by a diagnostic test to confirm. A low chance NIPT result is reassuring, but you can still choose diagnostic testing if you want certainty.

Diagnostic Tests

If you want a definitive answer, a diagnostic test can confirm whether your baby has a chromosomal condition. CVS is usually performed between 11 and 14 weeks, taking a small sample of the placenta. Amniocentesis is performed after 15 weeks, taking a small sample of amniotic fluid. Both carry a small risk of miscarriage (around 0.5 to 1%), which your consultant will discuss. The results usually take a few days to two weeks.

FAQ

### Does a higher risk result mean my baby definitely has a condition?

No. Most women with a higher risk result have babies without the condition. The result simply means the chance is above the threshold, and further testing is offered.

Can I refuse further testing?

Yes. You can decline NIPT and diagnostic tests and continue with routine antenatal care. Your decision will be respected and will not affect the rest of your care.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

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