The maternal serum screening (MSS) test is a blood test available meant for pregnant women to help determine the risk of Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Edward syndrome (trisomy 18) or neural tube defects in their unborn child. It is performed during pregnancy in the second trimester to classify a patient as either high-risk or low-risk for chromosomal abnormalities (and neural tube defects).
The woman must be in her second trimester for this test. However, it is highly recommended that the blood is collected between 15 and 17 weeks gestation.
As mentioned above, a triple screen test is used for measuring high and low levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and abnormal levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and estriol (uE3). The screening test through measuring the above 3, shows the chance that a baby has a certain birth defect. Some of these are:- Chromosome abnormalities Down Syndrome Brain or spinal cord defects IMPORTANT: The triple test is a screening test and not a diagnostic test. This test only notes that a mother is at a possible risk of carrying a baby with a genetic disorder.
The test involves the pregnant woman having a blood test between 14 and 20 weeks, + 6 days gestation. A simple blood test will be taken which takes 5-10 minutes. The health professional taking a sample of your blood will:
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