What type of testing would be recommended for a couple concerned about their unborn child having Trisomy 21?

Prenatal testing is the recommended approach for a couple concerned about their unborn child having Trisomy 21, also known as Down syndrome. This type of testing allows healthcare providers to assess the fetus during pregnancy, providing valuable information about the presence of chromosomal abnormalities such as Trisomy 21.

Prenatal testing can include various methods, such as non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), maternal serum screening, and diagnostic procedures like amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS). These tests can help determine the likelihood of the fetus having Down syndrome based on specific markers or by analyzing fetal cells or DNA.

In contradistinction to prenatal testing, carrier testing focuses on detecting genetic variations that a parent might pass on, mostly prior to conception. Newborn screening occurs after the baby is born, aimed at identifying health issues early in life rather than during pregnancy. Preimplantation testing is done on embryos created via in vitro fertilization before implantation, not directly addressing concerns about an already developing fetus. Hence, prenatal testing is the most appropriate and timely method for assessing the risk of Trisomy 21 during pregnancy.