Is the Quad screen\nnot the same as my usual Ante-natal test?<\/strong>The screen is essentially the same as other medical screening\ntests that look for other relevant substances, except the likelihood of\nidentifying pregnancies at risk for Down syndrome is higher through the\nevaluation of Inhibin-A levels. Inhibin-A<\/em>:<\/strong> inhibin-A<\/em> is\na protein produced by the placenta and ovaries. The Quad test determines a\nmother\u2019s risk for having a baby with Down syndrome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Quad screen test measures levels of four substances in\npregnant women’s blood:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

• Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (a protein made by the developing baby)<\/li>
• Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) (a hormone made by the placenta)<\/li>
• Estriol (a hormone made by the placenta and the baby’s liver)<\/li>
• Inhibin A, (another hormone made by the placenta)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

  The test is done between weeks 15 and up to week 22.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Why is the Quad\nscreen done?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

  The quad screen evaluates your chance of carrying a baby who\nhas any of the following conditions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Down syndrome (trisomy 21).<\/strong> Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that causes lifelong intellectual disability and developmental delays and, in some people, health problems.<\/li>
  • Trisomy 18.<\/strong> This is a chromosomal disorder that causes severe developmental delays and abnormalities in the structure of the body. Trisomy 18 is often fatal by age 1.<\/li>
  • Spina bifida.<\/strong> Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when a portion of the neural tube fails to develop or close properly, causing defects in the spinal cord and in the bones of the spine.<\/li>
  • Abdominal wall defects.<\/strong> In these birth defects, the baby’s intestines or other abdominal organs stick through the belly button.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    The quad screen has traditionally been one of the most\ncommonly used screenings in the second trimester. It was generally used if\nprenatal care began during the second trimester or if first trimester\nscreening, which involves a blood test and an ultrasound exam, wasn’t\navailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A negative quad screen doesn’t guarantee that the baby won’t\nhave a chromosomal abnormality, single-gene disorder or certain birth defects.\nIf your screening test is positive, your doctor will recommend additional\ntesting to make a diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Before the screening, think about what the results mean to\nyou. Consider whether the screening will be worth any anxiety it might cause,\nor whether you’ll handle your pregnancy differently depending on the results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When should a Quad screen be done?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Quad screen may be offered to the expectant mother by\nthe obstetrician\/gynaecologist between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, counting\nfrom the first day of the last menstrual period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How is a Quad screen  it done?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can eat and drink normally before the test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    During the Quad screen test, a sample of blood is taken from the woman’s vein. The blood sample is sent to a lab for analysis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can return to your usual activities immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Substances in the blood sample are measured to screen for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    • Problems in the development of the fetus’ brain, spinal cord and other neural tissues of the central nervous system (neural tube). Problems with neural tube development can occur as spina bifida or anencephaly (absence of all or part of the brain). Neural tube defects occur in 1 or 2 out of every 1000 births. The quad marker screen can detect approximately 75% of open neural tube defects.<\/li>
    • Genetic disorders such as Down syndrome, a chromosomal abnormality. Approximately 1 in 720 babies is born with Down syndrome. The quad marker screen can detect approximately 75% of Down syndrome cases in women under age 35 and 85 to 90% of Down syndrome cases in women age 35 years and older.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Do I need to have the Quad screen test?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      All pregnant women are recommended to have a quad marker screen, but it is your decision whether or not to have the test. However, if you have any of the following risk factors, you may want to strongly consider having the test:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      • You are age 35 or older when the baby is due.<\/li>
      • Your family has a history of birth defects.<\/li>
      • You’ve had a child with a previous birth defect.<\/li>
      • You have had insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes prior to your pregnancy.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        If you have any questions or concerns about this test,\nplease talk with your healthcare provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Risks<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The quad screen is a routine prenatal screening test. The test poses no risk of miscarriage or other pregnancy complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Results<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Your age and results of the quad screen will be used at the estimated time of delivery to evaluate your chance of carrying a baby who has certain chromosomal conditions, neural tube defects or abdominal wall defects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Factors that can affect the substances measured by a quad screen include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        • A miscalculation of how long you’ve been pregnant<\/li>
        • Maternal race<\/li>
        • Maternal weight<\/li>
        • Carrying more than one baby during a pregnancy<\/li>
        • Diabetes<\/li>
        • In vitro fertilization<\/li>
        • Smoking during pregnancy<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          The quad screen correctly identifies about 80 percent of\nwomen who are carrying a baby who has Down syndrome. The quad screen only indicates your overall chance of\ncarrying a baby who has certain chromosomal conditions, neural tube defects or\nabdominal wall defects. A decreased chance (negative screen result) doesn’t\nguarantee that your baby won’t have one of these conditions. Likewise, an\nincreased chance (positive screen result) doesn’t guarantee that your baby will\nbe born with one of these conditions.The doctor will help you understand your test results and\nwhat the results might mean for your pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Quick Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          What it looks for<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          • Down syndrome<\/li>
          • Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome)<\/li>
          • Open Neural Tube Defects (ONTD)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            When to do it<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            • 15\n weeks, 1 day to 21 weeks, 6 days gestation<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              Why this test<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

              • Stand-alone second trimester screen<\/li>
              • Screens for open neural tube defects<\/li>
              • Screen for Down syndrome issues <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

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                References<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                https:\/\/www.ntd.eurofins.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                American Pregnancy Association Home<\/a><\/blockquote>