Prenatal Screening and Diagnostic Tests

2024-05-31

Prenatal Screening and Diagnostic Tests - What Are They?

With today's prenatal screening and diagnostic procedures, expecting women can discover a great deal about the health of their unborn child. The expectant woman and her medical team can give the infant the best care possible as a result of these prenatal genetic tests. Determining if the test is intended for diagnosis or screening is one of the crucial things to consider. Through a screening test, expecting parents can determine whether their baby is more likely to develop a problem. A diagnostic examination is more intrusive and can express a definite "yes" or "no" to an ailment or health condition a baby has.

Prenatal screening and diagnostic tests are conducted quickly and easily at Aza Diagnostic Centre. This makes it easier for expectant parents to keep an eye on their growing family and makes sure that moms and other caregivers are aware of any potential problems early on.

 

What is prenatal screening? Let’s look in detail.

Ultrasound measurements combined with biochemical screenings allow doctors to identify pregnancies that carry a significant risk of birth abnormalities. Using the data, medical professionals can determine a patient's risk of developing Down syndrome, a genetic condition that affects roughly 1 in 700 newborns and can cause mild to severe intellectual handicaps. Tests are also available to determine spinal birth abnormalities and Trisomy 18, a severe genetic condition, in children.
 

Both screening and diagnostic tests are part of prenatal testing. Screening tests do not provide a diagnosis. They can offer details on the likelihood that a baby will have a certain illness or condition. The only tests that can conclusively determine whether a newborn has a birth abnormality are diagnostic tests.
 

Types of Prenatal Testing

Prenatal testing comes in two forms. They are:

  • Screening Tests: Tests for prenatal screening can determine the likelihood that your unborn child will have specific birth abnormalities, many of which are caused by genetic illnesses. These examinations consist of prenatal cell-free DNA screening, some types of ultrasounds, and blood testing. Prenatal screening tests are usually made available during the first or second trimester. However, a conclusive diagnosis cannot be obtained by screening testing. Your doctor will go over your options for a diagnostic test to confirm the diagnosis if the results point to an increased risk for a genetic condition.
     
  • Diagnostic Tests: An invasive prenatal diagnostic test might be something to think about if a screening test reveals a potential issue or if your age, medical history, or family history puts you at a higher chance of having a child with a genetic condition. The only way to be certain of a diagnosis is through a diagnostic test. There is a small chance of miscarriage with certain diagnostic procedures, including amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling.

 

Types of Screening Tests

Prenatal screening tests include:

  • First trimester screening tests: Your doctor may recommend an ultrasound and blood test during the first trimester to gauge the size of the nuchal translucency or clear the gap in the tissue behind the baby's neck. In Down syndrome and some other diseases, the measurement of nuchal translucency is larger than typical.
     
  • Second trimester screening tests: Your doctor may recommend the quad screen, an additional blood test, during the second trimester. Four chemical levels in your blood are measured by this test. The findings show your likelihood of becoming pregnant with a child that has specific chromosomal disorders, such as Down syndrome. Neural tube defects are severe abnormalities of the brain or spinal cord that can be detected using this test.
     
  • Prenatal cell-free DNA screening. This blood test looks for specific chromosomal issues, such as Down syndrome, by analyzing fetal DNA in the mother's circulation. The results of this screening may also reveal a baby's sex and Rh blood type.

 

The test results can assist pregnant women in making decisions about whether to have additional diagnostic testing relatively early in their pregnancies, which can be especially helpful. Risk assessment takes into account characteristics like age in addition to ultrasound measurements and blood test results to evaluate the likelihood of problems during pregnancy.

Additionally, we advise prenatal screening for common recessive genetic illnesses such as spinal muscular atrophy, fragile X syndrome, and cystic fibrosis for pregnant moms. Early in a pregnancy, or before conception, is the ideal period for prenatal screening.

Are you looking for the best diagnostic centre to carry out prenatal screening or diagnostics? Then, visit Aza Diagnostics Centre, one of the best scanning centres in Calicut. Pregnancy is one of the crucial phases in the lives of women, and expecting women should undergo these tests as per their doctor’s advice to ensure that they are carrying a healthy baby.
 

So, if you are in search of a reliable clinics in Calicut to carry out prenatal screening and diagnostics, then visit Aza Diagnostics Centre today!

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