Maternal Double Marker Test (11 To 13 Weeks)
- Test code
M0022
- Schedule
Daily
- Pre-requisite
Provide Maternal Date of Birth (DD/MM/YY); LMP or Ultrasound; Number of Fetuses (Single/Twins); Diabetic Status & Body Weight in Kg, IVF, Smoking & Previous History of Trisomy 21 Pregnancy in Maternal Serum Screen form Valid Between 9-13 Weeks Gestation (Ideal 10-13 Weeks)
- Report time
24 Hours
Price
₹2,800
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Parameters
Double marker test
It is a simple blood test done during first trimester of pregnancy to screen for certain chromosomal anomalies in the fetus. Hence double marker blood test is also called first trimester maternal serum screening test. This test forms a vital component of first trimester screening in pregnancy and should be an integral part of antenatal care of all pregnant women.
It is only a predictive test (not a definitive test) which means this test only tells the likelihood of the fetus having chromosomal anomalies. Hence confirmatory tests are further needed if the result of this test comes as moderate or high risk. The confirmatory tests done are chorionic villous sampling and amniocentesis. The markers tested are free-beta HCG and PAPP-A, hence called double marker test. This test is usually done between 11 weeks -14 weeks of pregnancy.
In a normal pregnancy the fetus has 22 pairs of chromosomes (i.e. 44 autosomal chromosomes and 2 sex chromosomes, XX in female fetus and XY in male fetus).Chromosomal anomalies can affect any of these chromosomes.
The various chromosomal anomalies screened by double marker test in pregnancy are:
Why is double marker test prescribed?
The health care provider may ask a pregnant woman to undergo this test in first trimester to assess the risk of Down’s syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities like trisomy 18 in the fetus. This test is not compulsory but is advisable in those pregnant women with risk factors such as:
What are the components of double marker blood test?
Double marker blood test includes measurement of two biochemical markers in blood:
This test is usually done along with ultrasound examination to look for nuchal translucency (First trimester scan) in fetus. Few other demographic details are required to calculate the risk, like weight, Date of Birth, diabetes status, smoker or not etc. The result is either screen positive (high risk) or screen negative (low risk).
Procedure and prerequisites
The sample for double marker test in pregnancy is taken from blood (serum) by inserting a small needle into vein of your arm .A small amount of blood is then collected in test tube or vial .You may feel some pain due to needle prick. No special preparation is needed for this test.
A maternal screen consent form needs to be filled with few other details along with the latest ultrasound scan report (First trimester scan) copy.
- Down’s syndrome –in this anomaly there is extra copy of chromosome 21. Therefore it is also called trisomy 21.
- Edward’s syndrome-in this anomaly there is extra copy of chromosome 18. Hence it is also called trisomy 18.
- Age above 35 years
- Family history of congenital anomalies
- Family history of diabetes
- Free beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotrophin(free beta-hcg)-its level increase with various chromosomal anomalies such as down’s syndrome
- Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A(PAPP-A)-its level decreases in various chromosomal anomalies
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