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If the quad marker screen results are not in the normal range, further tests such as an ultrasound or amniocentesis may be necessary. The quad marker screen is used as a screening tool only, which means it can only assess your risk of having a baby with certain birth defects (it is not used to diagnose the particular problem that may be present). Quad marker screen results that are not in the normal range do not necessarily mean there is a problem in your pregnancy. What Does It Mean if the Quad Marker Screen Results Are Abnormal? However, there are no prenatal tests that can guarantee your baby and pregnancy will be completely healthy or without complications. In over 98% of pregnancies, normal quad marker screen results predict healthy babies and births without major complications. Normal levels of AFP, estriol, hCG, and Inhibin-A strongly indicate that you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. What Does It Mean if the Quad Marker Screen Results Are Normal? It is a test that carries no risk to the baby, since a blood sample is taken only from the mother. The quad marker screen is a safe and useful screening test for families concerned about birth defects or genetic diseases. Lower than normal levels of estriol (a hormone) may also indicate that a woman is at high risk for having a baby with Down syndrome. Levels of hCG and Inhibin-A are higher than normal when a woman has an increased risk of having a baby with Down syndrome. Lower than normal AFP levels could indicate that a woman is at higher risk for having a baby with Down syndrome. High AFP levels may also indicate that the baby is older than was thought or that the woman is expecting twins. High AFP levels may indicate that the baby has an open neural tube defect. The expected amount of these substances normally found in the mother's bloodstream changes weekly during pregnancy, so it is important to tell your doctor how far along you are in your pregnancy.

Inhibin-A: A hormone produced by the placenta.

Human c horionic g onadotropin (hCG): A hormone produced by the placenta.

Unconjugated e striol (UE): A protein produced in the placenta and in the baby's liver.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP): A protein produced by the baby's liver and other organs.

The blood sample is sent to a laboratory and tested for the presence of the following four things that are normally found in the baby's blood, brain, spinal fluid, and amniotic fluid: The test can only be performed during this timeframe but is most optimally performed between 16 and 18 weeks. Your doctor may offer you a quad marker screen between 15 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. You should have the results in a few days.

Genetic disorders such as Down syndrome, a chromosomal abnormality the quad marker screen can predict approximately 75% of Down syndrome cases in women under age 35 and over 80% of Down syndrome cases in women age 35 years and older.

Problems in the development of the fetus's brain and spinal cord, called open neural tube defects the quad marker screen can predict approximately 75%-80% of open neural tube defects.

Substances in the blood sample are measured to screen for: What Happens During the Quad Marker Screen?ĭuring the quad marker screen, a sample of blood is taken from your vein.

It's more accurate than either test by itself. This is called integrated or sequential screening. Doctors sometimes combine the results of the quad test with the first trimester screening. The quad marker screen has replaced an earlier test, the triple screen, in the U.S. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of taking this test before you make a decision. This means that some women with healthy babies will have screening results indicating a possible problem (and will be offered appropriate follow-up testing), while some women whose babies have birth defects will go undetected.īecause of the uncertainties surrounding the test result, you can opt to not have it.

The quad marker screen determines if a woman is at higher or lower risk of carrying a baby with a birth defect. The test predicts the likelihood of a problem. It can help estimate your baby's risk of Down syndrome, Edward's syndrome (trisomy 18), and neural tube defects. The quad marker screen is a blood test that provides useful information about a pregnancy.