What Is The Need For Prenatal Screening?
Published On - September 12, 2022
Prenatal screening tests are done to detect genetic disorders in unborn babies. These tests help identify conditions that may cause serious problems if not treated early on. Prenatal screenings are performed at different points in pregnancy, depending on the condition being screened for. This kind of prenatal testing before pregnancy is carried out by many prenatal screening companies in Kolkata.
Types of Prenatal Screening:
There are three types of prenatal screening tests:
- First Trimester Screening:
The first-trimester screening test is done between weeks 6-12 of gestation. This test screens for Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, Patau syndrome, Turner syndrome, and Trisomy 18.
Your doctor will suggest a blood test and ultrasound during your first trimester to gauge the size of the clear area in the tissue at the back of the baby’s neck (nuchal translucency). The nuchal translucency measurement is higher than average in people with Down syndrome and several other disorders.
- Second Trimester Screening:
Your doctor will present you with a quad screen, which is an additional blood test, during the second trimester. Four chemical levels in your blood are measured by this test. The results show your chance of having a child with a certain chromosomal disorder, such as Down syndrome. Additionally, neural tube defects, which are significant abnormalities of the brain or spinal cord, might be found using this test.
This test is done between weeks 15-20 of gestation. This test detects Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome and Patau syndrome, and is conducted by many prenatal testing companies in Kolkata.
- Prenatal cell-free DNA screening:
This blood test looks at fetal DNA in the mother’s circulation to check for an elevated risk of particular chromosome issues, such as Down syndrome. The Rh blood type and sex of the infant can also be determined through this screening.
Testing for fetal abnormalities during pregnancy is optional. Making an educated choice about prenatal testing is crucial, especially if you’re checking for untreatable disorders in the fetus. A screening test of this kind can only reveal your risk, or chance, that a specific ailment exists. It does not ensure that something will take place. Generally speaking, they are non-intrusive and optional, however, most OBs do encourage them.
If the results are favorable, your doctor may obtain more conclusive answers from additional diagnostic tests, some of which may be more invasive.
What Should You Know About Prenatal Screening?
Pregnant women may find prenatal screening tests to be a valuable source of information. While a lot of these tests are standard, choosing which ones to have can be a very personal choice.
If you are unsure if you should get checked or if you’re feeling nervous, talk to your physician about your worries. Additionally, you might request a referral to a genetic counselor.
Your healthcare team may go over the advantages and disadvantages with you and assist you in selecting the prenatal screenings that are best for you. To ascertain the likelihood that a baby may have certain medical disorders or chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome, several prenatal screening procedures are performed.
