Prenatal screening specialists call a combined examination, several simultaneous procedures that allow to identify congenital malformations in the fetus (Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, neural tube defect) and to study the structure of his body and surrounding tissues. Of course, the more accurate the measurements are, the more reliable the information. Therefore, for such a survey, you need to turn to real professionals for help. What kind of "fruit" is this, screening, and also how it is used you will learn in the article on the topic "Prenatal screening, test results".
According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, indications for such a screening study can be a number of reasons:
- hereditary diseases in the immediate family;
- at least two spontaneous abortions on early terms;
- transferred bacterial, viral infections (eg, hepatitis, rubella, herpes, cytomegalovirus);
- the woman's age is after 35-39 years;
- radiation exposure or other harmful effects on one of the spouses before conception.
But, neither the direction to the analyzes and ultrasound, nor even their subsequent results, mean that the pathology will certainly develop. For example, with respect to age, statistics claim the opposite. Simply compared with the ideal picture of pregnancy, the probability of a problem is slightly increased. So take care of your nervous system and adjust to the birth of an absolutely healthy baby.
What is included in the study?
Screened for 10-13th week of pregnancy. In comparison with similar studies in the second trimester, it is considered to be more accurate, with a minimum percentage of false-positive results. With the help of a special computer program that allows you to calculate the combined risk of chromosomal abnormalities of fetal development, according to the results of a biochemical blood test of a woman and ultrasound, experts assess the condition of a small one. All manipulations take only 2-2.5 hours. During the ultrasound, the doctor will determine and enter into the questionnaire the size of the crumb from the coccyx to the crown (CTE), the thickness of the collar space - the cervical fold, the place of accumulation of the subcutaneous fluid (TBP). These parameters will allow to determine as precisely as possible the term of conception, multiple pregnancy and its type, which is very important for proper observation of such pregnancy, as well as indirect signs of possible violations of fetal development. All data are entered in the questionnaire and are taken into account in further diagnosis. Having the results of ultrasound, you can donate blood. Biochemical laboratories analysis is conducted by specialists in order to consider the following indicators:
- free beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG). This unique unit determines the biological and immunoreactive specificity of hCG - a special pregnancy hormone that produces cells of the chorion (embryo shell).
- specific whey protein A (PA-PP-A), involved in the formation of the immune defense of the maternal organism, and the development of the placenta. To process the results of the blood test and ultrasound, the doctor also needs detailed information about the woman.
Body weight, drugs that were taken, whether she smoked before pregnancy - all this and other data are taken into account in screening the first trimester. Having on hand detailed information about the state of mother and baby, the geneticist will give recommendations. Now we know what prenatal screening is, the results of the analyzes show everything with the utmost precision.