Quadruple Screen Test in Pregnancy: Key Insights for Expectant Parents

Are you an expectant parent wondering about what a Quadruple Screen Test is? Well, it is a prenatal screening test, which is vital for expecting mothers to carry out, to ensure that their pregnancy is not complicated and the unborn is healthy. When it comes to pregnancy, prenatal screening tests can determine up to 90% of serious chromosomal abnormalities. Pregnancy and motherhood are two of the important phases in the lives of many women. Expecting women go through a range of feelings and emotions like excitement, anxiety, and fear during this period. In the journey to parenthood, both parents should prioritize the health and well-being of both the unborn child and the mom-to-be by conducting such prenatal tests.

Let us learn more about the Quadruple Screen Test and how beneficial it is to expectant parents.

 

What is Quadruple Test in pregnancy

The Quadruple Test, also known as the Quadruple Marker Test, is conducted to determine if the foetus is healthy or if it has any chromosomal abnormalities and risk of neural tube defects. By assessing four aspects of the mother’s blood, this non-invasive blood test provides reliable insights into the overall pregnancy health. Thus, the quadruple test is a vital tool to determine the health and well-being of the unborn and the expecting mother

 

 The test helps in the following:

• It assesses the chances of new born having chromosomal disorders like Down syndrome, trisomy 13, and trisomy 18.
• It helps identify conditions such as anencephaly and spina bifida, some of the anomalies of the neural tube.
• It offers a clear insight into the overall health of the unborn child, and the need for additional diagnostic procedures.

 

Quadruple Test Administration

The Quadruple Test, a mid-trimester screening test for expectant mothers, is usually administered between 15th to 20th week of pregnancy. This period reveals relevant information about the foetus’ development and health conditions, enabling the expectant parents to carry out further testing or follow-up procedures. 

 

Quadruple Test To Determine Down Syndrome

Down syndrome is a genetic abnormality and the main objective of performing a Quadruple Test is to determine if the new born has Down syndrome. This genetic disease is caused by an extra chromosome 21 copy. The Quadruple Test checks for specific features in the blood of the expecting mothers to determine the possibility that the new born has Down syndrome.

 

Interpretating Quadruple Test Result

Two of the variables that have an impact on the normal values for the Quadruple Test markers are maternal age and gestational age. Their actual value is compared to standard reference ranges during the whole interpretation process to detect the chances of the new born having chromosomal abnormalities and neural tube defects.

 

Quadruple Marker Test Report Insights

While analyzing the Quadruple Test report, it is important to check the levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), unconjugated estriol (uE3), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and inhibin A. If their vales deviate from the average range, there will be higher chances for the new born to be affected by  certain genetic illnesses. To determine it in detail, further testing or guidance from a medical professional will be required.

 

Quadruple Screen Cost

The factors affecting the cost of Quadruple Screen Test are the nature of the medical organisation or healthcare provider, the region, the insurance coverage opted etc. At healthcare clinics like Aza Diagnostic Center, which offers comprehensive prenatal screening services, the cost of the Quadruple Marker Test is reasonable, making it easily accessible for expectant parents.

Thus, the Quadruple Test is an essential tool that is highly dependent on during the pregnancy period. Conducted in the second-trimester, this screening process provides vital information, to facilitate decision-making. Based on the test results, parents can go for further tests to take better care during the pregnancy period. Expectant parents should make this test a part of their prenatal care to make sure that they have a safe and healthy pregnancy experience.

Note that the Quadruple Screen Test offers slightly higher accurate result than the triple screen test. However, there are chances that the Quadruple Screen Test can provide false-positive and false-negative results. An irregular results should be confirmed through other tests, and the test results should discussed with a medical professional.

 

Aza Diagnostic Centre

Aza Diagnostic Center, best laboratory in Kannur, prioritizes the health and well-being of pregnant mothers and their unborn children. It is one of the reliable medical diagnostic clinic that offers reliable test results by using state-of-the-art medical technologies.

 Expectant parents who are aware of the objectives, timeliness, interpretation, and financial implications associated with this screening procedure can make well-informed decisions regarding their prenatal care journey with the assistance of healthcare professionals and lab in Kannur such as Aza Diagnostic Centre.