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Home › Articles › Tests and Procedures › Making the Grade

Making the Grade

A Guide to Tests during Pregnancy

By Teri Brown

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The alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test is a blood test to check for neural tube defects in the baby, such as spina bifida.

"It is often combined with other blood tests in the triple screen or quad screen," says Dr. Abello. "The combined test also gives an idea of the chances that the baby has a chromosomal disorder such as Down syndrome. It doesn't say that the baby has a problem or not, just what the patient's risk is. If the risk of having a baby with a chromosomal disorder is higher than we expect, or higher than a certain cut off, we recommend the amniocentesis."

Dr. Abello says while the amniocentesis tells you for certain, it does have a risk of miscarriage with it. The quad screen has no risk involved, but may tell you that you have an increased risk even if everything is OK.

Amniocentesis
Amniocentesis is an optional test done at 15 to 20 weeks to test the baby's chromosomes. It can diagnose Down syndrome or other chromosomal disorders. The test involves removing a small quantity of amniotic fluid with a very thin, spinal-type needle, under continuous ultrasound guidance. Amniotic fluid is essentially fetal urine, and a small quantity of this can be safely removed from the amniotic sac in order togrow some of the fetal cells that are floating in the fluid. These cells are then tested for possible chromosomal disorders.

"It is offered to anyone over the age of 35 because older women have a higher chance of having a baby with a chromosomal disorder," says Dr. Abello. "It may be offered to other women if something on ultrasound is suspicious for a chromosomal disorder. The biggest risk of amniocentesis is the risk of miscarriage, which is about 1 in 300 to 1 in 400. There can be a risk of bleeding from the procedure as well."

Ultrasounds

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