Quadruple and Triple Screen Test: Assessing the Risk of Birth Defects During Pregnancy
Quadruple and triple marker screen test is a blood test conducted during pregnancy which determines if the baby is at risk of birth defects. These tests are done at the second trimester of the pregnancy, which is performed between the 15th and 20th weeks of pregnancy, but more accurate results can be achieved between the 16th and 18th weeks. The triple marker test is used to assess the levels of three substances in a pregnant woman's blood. Whereas the quadruple marker test assesses four substances. Women over the age of 35 and having a history of birth defects should consider getting these tests done. Why are the Tests Performed? The purpose of the tests is to determine the baby's risk for specific birth defects such as genetic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities. These tests are screening tests, and they check only the risk. They do not diagnose the problem, and a positive result means you need further testing. To determine the chance of having a birth defect, certa...