Antenatal Panel Optima Test

Antenatal Panel Optima Test Overview

The antenatal panel optima test is performed by doctors to check pregnant women for any pregnancy related illnesses and/or infections during their pregnancy. This panel test involves various individual tests which involve blood and urine tests to get a complete picture of the mother’s health during pregnancy.

The goal of this panel test is to get a proper look at the health of the mother and ensure that they are healthy throughout their pregnancy and the childbirth process. The tests are performed as a way to screen several conditions and manage them in a timely manner if they are present.

When is an Antenatal Panel Optima Test Prescribed?

An antenatal panel optima test is prescribed around the 24th week of pregnancy. This test helps doctors understand the health of the mother and look at any infections or complications they may be having through a series of blood and regular urine tests. These tests help doctors manage and, in some cases, prevent complications, which could make the pregnancy and childbirth process difficult for their children. 

It is also important to note that this panel test is performed as a screening test and not as a response to physical symptoms. So as a result, this test is prescribed around the same recommended time for pregnant women in most cases.

Components of An Antenatal Panel Optima Test

The individual components tested in an antenatal panel optima test are as follows:

• Complete Blood Count 
• Blood Group + Rh Factor 
• Urine R/E 
• HIV-1 & 2 
• HBsAg 
• VDRL
• Glucose F / PP / R

Based on the reports, doctors can successfully diagnose certain pregnancy complications for both the mother and child. Here are some of the conditions that are commonly diagnosed using an antenatal panel optima test.

• Anemia
• Placenta previa
• Urinary tract infections
• Gestational diabetes

Procedure And Prerequisites

As a panel test, various individual tests are performed together for this particular panel. The individual tests ordered vary based on doctor’s prescriptions and your health in general. The different blood, urine, and imaging tests that are generally a part of an antenatal panel optima test have their own procedures. As a prerequisite for these tests, doctors may recommend overnight fasting before the test, especially for the blood tests.