Crucial Screening Tests For Spotting Abnormalities In Early Pregnancy

Numerous tests are obtainable for screening and diagnosis of these anomalies at a preliminary stage of pregnancy.

In case a pregnant woman is apprehensive about whether her unborn baby has been affected with Down’s syndrome, then the doctor would offer one or more screening tests that would show if an anomaly is expected, and whether the foetus is in danger due to this.

Serum Screening

• This is a blood analysis conducted during 15-20 weeks of pregnancy. It computes the pregnancy hormone levels in the expectant woman’s blood.
• By merging these outcomes with the pregnant woman’s age, the likelihood of the foetus having Down’s syndrome could be calculated.
• The blood test is not totally infallible and sporadically a Down’s syndrome baby could be delivered by a woman who had a low-risk test outcome.

Nuchal Translucency Measurement

• Ultrasound scan is performed for measurement of the fluid space at the nape of the neck (back side of the foetus’ neck) during 11-14 weeks of pregnancy.
• Down’s syndrome foetuses have a bigger space as compared to normal pregnancies.
• By merging this measurement with the mother’s age and at times with the evaluations of the hormone levels in the blood, the risk levels of being pregnant with an affected baby could be computed. In case the risk is high, then the woman would be recommended to undergo diagnostic testing.

Diagnostic Tests

Examining cells from the foetus is the sole means of diagnosing the presence of any chromosomal abnormality with assurance. A diagnostic test is conducted when:

• A woman is deemed to be in high risk due to the screening test.
• A woman is deemed to be in high risk as she has earlier undergone a pregnancy ridden with chromosomal or genetic aberration.
• An ultrasound exam has spotted features or anomalies that indicate a heightened risk of a chromosomal aberration.
• A woman asks for diagnostic tests as she is apprehensive of whether her baby is having a chromosomal anomaly.

There are 2 kinds of diagnostic testing:

Aminocentesis:

• Aminocentesis evaluate a fluid sample near the foetus in the womb (amniotic fluid). It is conducted from fifteen weeks of gestation onwards.
• With the assistance of an ultrasound, a delicate needle is introduced through the woman’s abdomen and inside the fluid encircling the foetus from where nearly twenty ml of amniotic fluid is drawn out to be forwarded for microscopic analysis.
• The procedure generally lasts about ten minutes and could cause small extent of discomfort though the foetus would not be aware of the procedure.
• With the latest techniques, an initial outcome could be obtainable in two days time. The final outcome would be available in 2-3 weeks.

CVS or Chorionic villus sampling

• CVS scans a placenta sample and is conducted from eleven weeks on.
• Employing ultrasound for steering the course, a needle is introduced through the woman’s abdomen till it reaches the growing placenta. After this a suction action is done and a tiny tissue sample is drawn to be sent for laboratory analysis.
• The procedure generally lasts for about five to ten minutes and could be slightly more discomforting as compared to aminocentesis for the mother though the foetus is oblivious to the procedure.
• With the latest techniques, an initial outcome could be obtainable within 2 days though the final outcome could be available in 2 weeks.

Understanding the Safety of these Tests

• Prior to undergoing these tests, it is imperative to ensure that one is acquainted with all the implications for the mother or the foetus.
• Both the tests hold a small risk of leading to a miscarriage. Hence, one needs to talk about all concerns one might be having with one’s gynaecologist. One has to understand that gaining information regarding the foetus’ chromosomes is to be balanced against the infinitesimal yet existent risk of losing a pregnancy.
• As there is no treatment for chromosome abnormalities, in case detection is made prior to birth, the pregnant woman would be given a choice to terminate the pregnancy dependent on the kind of anomaly faced.
• The choice of carry on with the pregnancy is always the collective decision of the parents, and few parents may choose to continue.
• In case an irregular test could make no change in one’s desire to carry on with the pregnancy, one could opt for undergoing diagnostic tests that hold a risk to the foetus.

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