What Is The Need For The Quadruple Marker Scan?

quadruple marker scan in kolkata

A blood test called the Quad Marker Screen test can tell you important things about pregnancy. It can aid in calculating the chances for your unborn child to have neural tube abnormalities, Down syndrome and Edward's syndrome (Trisomy 18).

The quad marker screen is a reliable and safe screening test for families concerned about birth abnormalities or genetic illnesses. Since only the mother's blood is drawn for the test, there is no risk to the unborn child. Between 15 and 22 weeks of pregnancy, your doctor might suggest a quadruple marker scan in Kolkata to you. The test must be conducted within this window of time, although it is best done between 16 and 18 weeks.

Why is the Quadruple Marker Scan Necessary?

During the second trimester (15–20 weeks of pregnancy), this blood test is conducted to look for chromosomal abnormalities that could lead to birth problems in the unborn child. The quad screen test measures levels of various such chemicals in the blood of the female subject.

  • A hormone generated by the placenta is called Inhibin A.
  • The hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), is generated by the placenta.
  • A protein produced by the developing fetus – is referred to as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP).
  • Unconjugated estriol (UE), is a hormone that is produced by the placenta and liver of the unborn child.

Throughout a pregnancy, the levels of these chemicals fluctuate - week by week. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the woman's pregnancy's stage and phase prior to the test. The quadruple scan in Kolkata is safe for the unborn child and aids in the detection of any chromosomal, genetic, or developmental concerns in him/her, such as:

  • Disorders of the spinal cord, brain, or other neural tissues of the CNS
  • Down’s Syndrome,
  • Other health issues

Each biomarker has a relevance that is determined by the Quad Screen test. Each biomarker has the function of detecting health issues in newborns. The test helps detect neurological issues like spina bifida by detecting increased AFP levels in the blood. However, if the woman's AFP levels are low, she runs the risk of having a child with Down's syndrome. The likelihood of Down's syndrome is further raised by high levels of hCG and inhibin A. Low amounts of unconjugated estriol also put a pregnant woman at risk for Down's syndrome.

If the risk level is minimal, the test assures the pregnancy is healthy. At birth, about 1 in 720 infants have Down's syndrome. A Quad test is essential for expectant mothers to undergo since it can identify 85–90% of occurrences of Down's syndrome in women aged 35 or older.

Also Read: What You Should Know About Pregnancy And The Quad Marker Screen?

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