Screening Test in the 2nd Trimester
tukimom posted on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 17:40
A friend of mine is suggesting to through a screening test which needs to be done till 24th week of pregnancy. I have just a week left and am wondering if I should spend money for this test. I am not even sure what is this test really meant for.
I have already got Nuchal Test done.
Any comments are welcome and awaited.
Thanks.
I know one blood test that is done upto 20 weeks which is called Multiple Marker Test which screens for Neural Tube Defects and chromosomal Disorder.
I also think you are talking about Multiple Marker Test.
Here is some detail information about it which I found on a site.
Screening is usually performed by taking a sample of the mother's blood between the 15th and 20th weeks of pregnancy (16th to 18th is ideal). The multiple markers include:
•alpha-fetoprotein screening (AFP) - a blood test that measures the level of alpha-fetoprotein in the mothers' blood during pregnancy. AFP is a protein normally produced by the fetal liver and is present in the fluid surrounding the fetus (amniotic fluid), and crosses the placenta into the mother's blood. The AFP blood test is also called MSAFP (maternal serum AFP).
Abnormal levels of AFP may signal the following:
◦open neural tube defects (ONTD) such as spina bifida
◦Down syndrome
◦other chromosomal abnormalities
◦defects in the abdominal wall of the fetus
◦twins - more than one fetus is making the protein
◦a miscalculated due date, as the levels vary throughout pregnancy
•hCG - human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (a hormone produced by the placenta)
•estriol - a hormone produced by the placenta
•inhibin - a hormone produced by the placenta
Abnormal test results of AFP and other markers may indicate the need for additional testing. Usually an ultrasound is performed to confirm the dates of the pregnancy and to look at the fetal spine and other body parts for defects. An amniocentesis may be needed for accurate diagnosis.
Multiple marker screening is not diagnostic. This means it is not 100 percent accurate, and is only a screening test to determine who in the population should be offered additional testing for their pregnancy. There can be false-positive results - indicating a problem when the fetus is actually healthy or false negative results - indicating a normal result when the fetus actually does have a health problem.
I found this on chp.edu
An anatomic ultasound is done at 20 weeks of pregnancy and this is mainly done to check for any major physical structural anomaly.
I just got the screening test in the 1st trimester done. I did not go for multiple marker test. Did have an Ultrasound but am not sure if it was anatomic ultrasound.
I was not aware of any such test. I guess the doctor did not even discuss it with me. Maybe these tests are done only for those who have some risks.
Anomaly scan done during the 2nd trimester gives a special glimpse of the growing baby. In US it is done for most of the pregnant ladies still I do not think they do this scan is done in India for everyone only in specific cases of some problem or multiples.
Here is some detail information about it which I found on a site.
Screening is usually performed by taking a sample of the mother's blood between the 15th and 20th weeks of pregnancy (16th to 18th is ideal). The multiple markers include:
•alpha-fetoprotein screening (AFP) - a blood test that measures the level of alpha-fetoprotein in the mothers' blood during pregnancy. AFP is a protein normally produced by the fetal liver and is present in the fluid surrounding the fetus (amniotic fluid), and crosses the placenta into the mother's blood. The AFP blood test is also called MSAFP (maternal serum AFP).
Abnormal levels of AFP may signal the following:
◦open neural tube defects (ONTD) such as spina bifida
◦Down syndrome
◦other chromosomal abnormalities
◦defects in the abdominal wall of the fetus
◦twins - more than one fetus is making the protein
◦a miscalculated due date, as the levels vary throughout pregnancy
•hCG - human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (a hormone produced by the placenta)
•estriol - a hormone produced by the placenta
•inhibin - a hormone produced by the placenta
Abnormal test results of AFP and other markers may indicate the need for additional testing. Usually an ultrasound is performed to confirm the dates of the pregnancy and to look at the fetal spine and other body parts for defects. An amniocentesis may be needed for accurate diagnosis.
Multiple marker screening is not diagnostic. This means it is not 100 percent accurate, and is only a screening test to determine who in the population should be offered additional testing for their pregnancy. There can be false-positive results - indicating a problem when the fetus is actually healthy or false negative results - indicating a normal result when the fetus actually does have a health problem.
I found this on chp.edu
Quite informative.
aby
My sister who is in the US and is expecting got this Anomaly test done recently. In US this test is done for pregnant woman I think. It check for every physical part of the baby.