It can help estimate your baby's risk of Down syndrome, Edward's syndrome (trisomy 18), and neural tube defects. Further testing options can be discussed with a doctor or genetic counselor.The quad marker screen is a blood test that provides useful information about a pregnancy. An abnormal screening test does not always mean there is a problem with the baby.Not all birth defects or genetic conditions are identified through screening. A normal screening result can be reassuring but it does not guarantee a healthy baby.Questions regarding screening can be discussed with a physician or a genetic counselor. Screening poses no threat to the mother or to her baby.Prenatal screening is a simple blood test on the mother’s blood.Further testing options can be discussed with a doctor or genetic counselor ( see the prenatal diagnostic tests fact sheet for more information). An abnormal test result does not necessarily mean there is a definite health problem with the pregnancy. What does an abnormal test result mean?Īn abnormal test result may indicate the need for additional testing, such as ultrasound, chorionic villi sampling or amniocentesis. Prenatal screening does determine the risk for the current pregnancy to be affected with specific chromosome problems or birth defects however, only diagnostic testing can determine whether a pregnancy is truly affected. How accurate are the test results?Īccuracy is dependent on the specific screening test ordered as well as the lab performing the testing. Consider whether screening will be worth any anxiety it may cause, or whether you’ll handle your pregnancy differently depending on the results. Before screening, think about what the results will mean to you. It is important to remember that prenatal screening is optional and results indicate the risk of carrying a baby who has Down syndrome, spina bifida or other condition, but not whether your baby actually has one of these conditions. Who should consider prenatal screening?Īll pregnant women have the option to undergo prenatal screening. ACOG recommends that all women with abnormal screening results be offered genetic counseling and the option of diagnostic procedures. Many women use the screening results to determine whether they will proceed with a level II ultrasound and/or diagnostic testing. Second trimester screening gives additional risk information for trisomy 13 and neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Both first and second trimester screening results give information specific to each pregnancy on the risk of having a child with Down syndrome or trisomy 18. What will the test results tell me?Īll women have some risk of having a child with a birth defect or chromosome abnormality. Risks of testing may include bruising or soreness at the site of the blood draw. Screening tests pose no risks to the baby. A mother’s age, race and weight also play a role in the levels. Some of the substances are made by the baby. The lab looks for several substances that are in the blood as a result of the pregnancy. Second trimester screening is a measurement of four substances in a pregnant woman’s blood.įor both tests, a small amount of blood is taken from a pregnant woman. How are the tests performed?įirst trimester screening includes a measurement of two substances in a pregnant woman’s blood and an ultrasound of the back of a baby’s neck. Time of pregnancy along with other factors can help determine the most appropriate test. Sequential screening is a combination of first and second trimester screening results. Second trimester screening, also called the quad screen, is typically performed between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. First trimester screening is typically performed between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. Some of the more common screening tests are first trimester screening, second trimester screening and sequential screening.
There are several different screening tests available. Screening can help to identify pregnancies at an increased risk for some birth defects and chromosome abnormalities. Prenatal testing can provide valuable information about a baby’s health. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends the option of screening for all pregnant women regardless of age. IDPH Home > Health Assessment and Screening > Genetics Home Screening Tests Information for Prenatal Consumers
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