We know you are very happy these days because of the new guest in your womb. At the same time, it is also normal to feel a little scared and nervous about the health of the baby. Your doctor will probably recommend various tests for you during pregnancy. One such test is the "Quad Marker Screen". You may feel a little scared when you hear about this. But today we will talk about this very simply, in a way that you can understand.
What exactly is a Quad Marker Screen?
Simply put, this is a routine blood test done during pregnancy. But the important thing about this is that it is not a diagnostic test . It is a screening test to see how likely your unborn baby is to have a genetic condition or birth defect.
Think of it this way. The weather report says, "There's a 70% chance of rain today." That doesn't mean it will definitely rain, but it does mean there's a high chance of rain. That's how this test works. It just tells you how likely it is that there will be a problem.
There are several main risk factors that this test examines:
- Down syndrome: This is a chromosomal abnormality.
- Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18): This is another severe chromosomal abnormality.
- Neural Tube Defects: Problems that can occur during the development of a baby's brain or spinal cord.
This test is not 100% accurate. This means that sometimes a mother with a healthy baby may get a "high risk" result. Also, very rarely, a mother with a baby with a problem may get a "low risk" result. Therefore, it is best to discuss the pros and cons of this test with your doctor before making a decision.
How and when is this test done?
This is very simple. It's just a simple blood sample taken from a vein in your arm. It won't harm your baby. You'll only feel a slight pricking sensation, like a regular blood test.
This test is usually done between 15 and 22 weeks of pregnancy . However, the most optimal time is considered to be between 16 and 18 weeks . It may take several days for the results to be available.
What does the Quad Marker Screen actually measure?
A blood sample taken from you is sent to a lab to measure the levels of four key chemicals that are associated with the baby's development. These are normally found in the baby's blood, brain, spinal fluid, and amniotic fluid (the fluid surrounding the baby). Small amounts of these also enter the mother's blood.
| Substance Measured | A simple explanation about it |
|---|---|
| Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) | This is a protein produced by the baby's liver. If AFP levels are higher than normal, it may indicate a neural tube defect. If AFP levels are low , it may indicate an increased risk of Down syndrome. |
| Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) | This is a hormone produced by the placenta. When the risk for Down syndrome is high, hCG levels are higher than normal. |
| Unconjugated estriol (UE) | This is a protein produced by the placenta and the baby's liver. UE levels may be lower than normal when the risk for Down syndrome is high. |
| Inhibin-A | This is another hormone produced by the placenta. Like hCG, inhibin-A levels also increase above normal when the risk for Down syndrome is high. |
How to understand the test results?
If you get a normal result...
This means that your baby is at low risk for the conditions mentioned above. In more than 98% of pregnancies, a normal result is a good indication that you will have a healthy baby. That's really good news. But as we've said before, no test can give you a 100% guarantee.
What if the result is 'High Risk'?
This is where many people get scared. But first, don't panic . A 'High Risk' result doesn't mean your baby will definitely have a problem. It just means you're a little more likely to have the condition than the average pregnant mother.
Imagine that 1,000 pregnant mothers took this test. Of those, about 50 would get a 'High Risk' result. But out of those 50, only one or two would actually have a child with a condition like Down syndrome.
If you get a 'High Risk' result, your doctor will explain what to do next. The next steps are usually:
1. Detailed Ultrasound Scan : The structure and development of the baby's body are examined in great detail.
2. Amniocentesis: If necessary, a very small sample of the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby is taken and the baby's chromosomes are directly tested. This is a diagnostic test.
Do I have to take this test?
No. The decision to have this test or not is entirely up to you. However, if you have any of the following risk factors, you may want to reconsider getting this test:
- If you are 35 years old or older.
- If anyone in your family has a history of birth defects.
- If you have previously had a child with a birth defect.
- If you had Type 1 Diabetes before you became pregnant.
Whatever the case, talk to your doctor before making a final decision and be well-informed about the benefits of this test and all the things associated with it.
Take-Home Message
- The Quad Marker Screen is a screening test that measures the risk of certain conditions that a child may develop, not a diagnostic test.
- This is done using a blood sample taken from the mother, so it will not harm the baby.
- Don't worry if the result says 'High Risk'. It doesn't mean there's a problem with your baby. Your doctor will advise you on what to do next.
- The decision to have this test or not is yours to make. Talk openly with your doctor about it.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න