{"id":4869,"date":"2019-03-10T12:47:19","date_gmt":"2019-03-10T12:47:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pregnanteve.com\/?p=4869"},"modified":"2019-08-02T05:26:54","modified_gmt":"2019-08-02T05:26:54","slug":"quad-screen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pregnanteve.com\/quad-screen\/","title":{"rendered":"Quad Screen"},"content":{"rendered":"
Precap<\/strong>
A Quadruple screen or Quad screen is a blood screen test during the second-trimester that tests for hCG, estriol, AFP and inhibin A.<\/div><\/div>

All the four chemicals (hCG, estriol, AFP and inhibin A) are present in the bloodstream during 15-22 week of pregnancy. Measuring the levels of these four chemicals, doctors assess the risk of genetic defects.<\/p>

It’s a screening test and decides the course of tests after that. When the tests are normal, you can skip further genetic tests. Diagnostic genetic tests are more expensive, time-consuming and invasive. Taking a Quad screen test helps you safely check your baby’s health.<\/p>

\"Quad
Quad Screen<\/figcaption><\/figure>

What is a Quad Screen Test?<\/h2>

The quad screen is a multiple marker test that assesses the risk of genetic defects in a baby. Women in the second trimester take the AFP4 test. The test looks for chromosomal abnormalities such as trisomy.<\/p>

Those who are at risk of miscarriage want to avoid getting an amniocentesis<\/a>. Invasive tests increase the risk of miscarriage in the second trimester. Quad screen test gives a fair hint of the risk without the danger of inducing a miscarriage.<\/p>

Some women wait for their first prenatal checkup until the time they’re ready for Quad Screen. When both the tests are together, the results are more conclusive. Combined test is integrated or sequential screening.<\/p>

What does a Quad screen look for?<\/h2>

The Quad Screen looks for:<\/p>

        1. AFP:<\/strong> Alpha-Fetoprotein which is a protein that is produced by the baby’s liver and other organs. The higher levels of AFP show a risk of neural tube defect. By the 15th week, AFP starts appearing in the blood of the mother. You can get your Quad Screen until the 20-21 week of the second trimester. With AFP you may come to know if you’re carrying twins. At times the age of baby continues to be miscalculated until the second trimester. For those who get a sequential screening, it’s the first time they know how old is the baby. High AFP values also mean that the baby is older than what you came thinking. Problems in the excretory system such as kidney also lead to elevated AFP values. When a part of the brain or spine doesn’t form, anencephaly, AFP production increases.<\/li>
        2. hCG:<\/strong> the placenta produces human Chorionic Gonadotropin after the implantation<\/a> of the egg. You test it when you use the pregnancy kit. By the second trimester, the hormone reaches its peak with a gradual increase in doubling time. After attaining the peak value, hCG begins to decline. When the levels of hCG continue to be high in the stage, there is a risk of Downs Syndrome. The disorder leads to severe abnormalities and development lapses in the baby. Downs Syndrome occurs because of trisomy of chromosome 21. All genetic material is in the form of pairs of chromosomes. Trisomy means three chromosomes instead of two. Reduced hCG indicates that there is a risk of Edwards Syndrome. There is a wide normal range no pinpoint value, so you don’t have to worry about it.<\/li>
        3. Unconjugated Estriol:<\/strong> There are three types of estrogen E1, E2, and E3. Both men and women have estriol. During pregnancy E 3 dominates the other two types. Low levels of E3 in the second trimester indicate the chances of having fetal adrenal defects, neural tube defects, ichthyosis, cholesterol synthesis abnormalities, and miscarriage. High levels of estriol in Quad Screen mean the risk of preterm labor. It also shows the possibility of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. In the condition, additional tissues reduce the number of hormones produced by the adrenal gland.<\/li>
        4. Inhibin A:<\/strong> Earlier the Quad Screen was a triple screen. With the addition of inhibin A to the multiple marker screening, it’s now a quad. Inhibin has two types A and B. The levels of Inhibin A along with the other parameters of Quad screen are the marker for Down\u2019s Syndrome in early pregnancy. The New England Journal of Medicine has published Dimeric Inhibin A as a Marker for Down’s Syndrome in Early Pregnancy.<\/em><\/span>1<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Other journals also talk of Role of Inhibin in Normal and High-Risk Pregnancy <\/em><\/span>2<\/sup><\/a><\/span>. High levels of inhibin A show that there is a high risk of Down’s Syndrome in a developing baby. The abnormal levels also tell about the risk of having preeclampsia.<\/li><\/ol><\/ol><\/ol><\/ol>
              <\/ol><\/ol>

              Why do I need a Quad Screen test?<\/h2>

              The quad screen test tells you whether the baby has a risk of Downs Syndrome, neural tube defects or anencephaly. Levels of the four proteins and hormones in the blood have a standard range. When a woman has a higher or lower than normal level of any of the four she is at the risk of having a baby with genetic defects.<\/p>

              Quad screen estimates the risk of<\/p>

                  1. Downs Syndrome<\/strong>: Trisomy of chromosome 21, causes cognitive disabilities, learning issues, and heart deformity. These children survive until adulthood facing all the difficulties as the disorder isn’t mortal. After Quad screen results a woman with positive results has options such as amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling, and prenatal cell-free DNA tests.<\/li>
                  2. Edwards Syndrome:<\/strong> Babies born with Trisomy 18 or Edward Syndrome usually die within the first year or before birth. They have clenched hands and a large head. Hernia, no breathing, and drooping eyelids are some other symptoms of the disorder.<\/li>
                  3. Anencephaly:<\/strong> A part of the brain or spine doesn’t develop normally. A major neural defect, it’s distinguishable in an ultrasound observing the fluid around the neck.<\/li>
                  4. Spina Bifida:<\/strong> The spine needs the support of the vertebral column. When the spine doesn’t develop neural networks, don’t function. Spina Bifida risk is also a part of the results of the Quadruple screen second-trimester test.<\/li><\/ol><\/ol><\/ol>

                    By the second trimester hCG and other hormones pick up. An increase is enough to be able to support a baby’s development in full swing. A genetic counselor will be able to tell you about the genetic trends in your family. The chances of such development defects can be seen from Pedigree charts.<\/p>

                    Generally, a woman must take a precautionary Quadruple screen test. Treating the conditions is way difficult than a simple blood test for quad screen. Once you come to know the results of the quad screen, you will have a clear picture.<\/p>

                    Pregnant mums who know their baby’s genetic disposition to a disorder may straightway get a diagnostic test.<\/p>

                    When should I take the Quad Screen test?<\/h2>

                    Screening is done during the 15-21 week. You can take it anytime during the period or whenever your doctor recommends.<\/p>

                    Women must take the test as early as possible, who:<\/p>