Image courtesy kidshealth.org
Typically in the second trimester during pregnancy, your doctor will recommend that you take a double/triple or multiple marker pregnancy tests. This test helps classify high-risk or low–risk for chromosomal abnormalities as well as neural tube defects. The multiple marker tests include the double and quadruple tests.
What Is a Triple Marker Screen Test?
A Triple market test help identify the likeliness of an unborn baby to have certain genetic disorders. It includes measuring of three important substances in the placenta: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), and Estriol. For women who are 15 – 20 weeks pregnant, this test is done via a blood test. Quadruple marker test also looks for inhibin A.
What Exactly Does It Detect?
As mentioned above, the triple marker test detects the levels of AFP, HCG, and estroil. Any abnormalities in the levels of these in the blood will be an indication of Downs Syndrome, Edwards syndrome, neural tube defects (such as spine bifida and anencephaly), multiple infants, an improper timeline.
Doctors can diagnose any abnormalities at an early stage and appropriate course of action can be decided upon. The fetus is then observed more closely.
What Are the Side Effects of a Triple Marker Screen Test?
There are no side effects of the test. It is completely harmless for the baby as well as for the mother. Although the percentage of children being born with Down’s syndrome is very less, it’s an important assessment for every fetus. Early detection can help parents and doctors take appropriate action too.
Precautions to be taken:
The only precaution to be taken is the time. It is essential that the test is done at the right time of pregnancy. If done early or late, might lead to wrong results.
Well, it is important that you are aware of all the tests that you will undergo during the nine months of pregnancy. Being informed will help you better cope with and better understand the “whys”, “Hows” and “Whens” of pregnancy. Being well informed will help you with a happy and healthy pregnancy.
This is a guest post by Rita Singha who regularly conducts pre-pregnancy classes and other childbirth sessions.
