The maternal serum screen is a simple blood test used to identify if a woman is at increased risk for having a baby with certain birth defects, such as neural tube defects or chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome. Second trimester screening tests include a maternal serum screen and a comprehensive ultrasound evaluation of the baby looking for the presence of structural anomalies (also known as an anomaly ultrasound). They are used to look for certain birth defects in the baby. Second trimester screening tests are completed between weeks 15 and 20 of pregnancy. If there is increased fluid found on the ultrasound, there could be a chromosomal disorder or heart defect in the baby. The ultrasound for the first trimester screen looks for extra fluid behind the baby’s neck. If the protein levels are abnormally high or low, there could be a chromosomal disorder in the baby.Īn ultrasound creates pictures of the baby. It measures the levels of two proteins, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A). The maternal blood screen is a simple blood test. This screen includes a maternal blood test and an ultrasound. It is used to look for certain birth defects related to the baby’s heart or chromosomal disorders, such as Down syndrome. First Trimester Screeningįirst trimester screening is a combination of tests completed between weeks 11 and 13 of pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have about prenatal testing. During pregnancy, women are usually offered these screening tests to check for birth defects or other problems for the woman or her baby. Less often, a screening test result can be normal and miss a problem that does exist. A screening test can sometimes give an abnormal result even when there is nothing wrong with the mother or her baby. A screening test does not provide a specific diagnosis-that requires a diagnostic test (see below). During Pregnancy: Prenatal Testing Screening TestsĪ screening test is a procedure or test that is done to see if a woman or her baby might have certain problems. Birth defects can be diagnosed during pregnancy or after the baby is born, depending on the specific type of birth defect.
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