"We don't tell anyone that they should get these tests. We say, 'These are the tests available to you,' and ask them, 'If your baby has this condition, do you want to know this during your pregnancy?' If the answer is yes, then we suggest they get tested."

Smith stresses that, before undergoing prenatal screening, it's important to understand that the age of the mother has a direct effect on the way the AFP blood screening test is interpreted.

"For example, if a 20-year-old woman and a 40-year-old woman come in for screening, even if their blood tests show identical protein levels, the 40-year-old's risk will still be interpreted as higher simply because her baseline is higher."

The thought of having a baby with Down syndrome is a particular worry to older parents, according to Smith, because of the long-term implications.

"Here's a couple in their 40s thinking about having a child who will always require adult supervision. They worry about what will happen to that child when they are too old to provide that care. It's a legitimate concern."

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