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What Does The Quad Screen Test For?
Question: Hello!!
My wife is pregnant ans her last mensuration period was on May 16th. Doctor suggested for double marker test and we couldn't do it on time so doctor suggested for triple marker test and hence we have done the test on August 23rd and in the test result it was identified that down syndrome is positive and hence doctor suggested NIPT test which costs around ₹30000. So, for a second opinion we visited another hospital and there the doctor confirmed the triple marker test was done in the wrong week, triple marker should be done after 16th week. Also, they did an ultrasound scan and checked the vital parts of the baby and everything was alright. So now they suggested quadruple marker test on Sep 5th. Also, there's one more thing i.e., as per the last mensuration period the week is different and as per the scan the week is different, now which week do we need to consider?
Can you please suggest who is correct and what's the best way to come out of this mess.
Thank You.
Regards,
XXXX
My wife is pregnant ans her last mensuration period was on May 16th. Doctor suggested for double marker test and we couldn't do it on time so doctor suggested for triple marker test and hence we have done the test on August 23rd and in the test result it was identified that down syndrome is positive and hence doctor suggested NIPT test which costs around ₹30000. So, for a second opinion we visited another hospital and there the doctor confirmed the triple marker test was done in the wrong week, triple marker should be done after 16th week. Also, they did an ultrasound scan and checked the vital parts of the baby and everything was alright. So now they suggested quadruple marker test on Sep 5th. Also, there's one more thing i.e., as per the last mensuration period the week is different and as per the scan the week is different, now which week do we need to consider?
Can you please suggest who is correct and what's the best way to come out of this mess.
Thank You.
Regards,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Get quadruple test done
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mam, thanks for trusting health care magic.
Yes Triple test is done after 16 weeks according to the date of periods (and not according to ultrasound weeks)
Quadruple test is better with higher sensitivity and thus should be fine instead of triple test.
Get quadruple test done and let's hope for it to come normal but in my opinion it will be deranged too and you will need NIPT at the end.
Yes this is a costly test but pray it to be normal as otherwise termination will be the only option as NIPT is confirmatory.
All the best.
Regards
Dr Manisha Jain
Get quadruple test done
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mam, thanks for trusting health care magic.
Yes Triple test is done after 16 weeks according to the date of periods (and not according to ultrasound weeks)
Quadruple test is better with higher sensitivity and thus should be fine instead of triple test.
Get quadruple test done and let's hope for it to come normal but in my opinion it will be deranged too and you will need NIPT at the end.
Yes this is a costly test but pray it to be normal as otherwise termination will be the only option as NIPT is confirmatory.
All the best.
Regards
Dr Manisha Jain
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello XXXXXXX
Thank you for the quick response. Sure, as per your suggestion we will do the quadruple test. But, please answer this question as well, doctor advised to do the test on Sep 5th and it will be 16th week on that day, so is it adviced to do that test on that day? Also, doctor suggested another test instead of NiPT i.e., needle test through which they will pull the babies chromosomes from the stomach of mother but she also mentioned it's a bit risky 1 in 300 cases.
So finally as per your suggestion you meant that there is a high chance of quadruple test also to show a positive result?
One final question, if triple marker test is done in 13th or 14th week will the results be accurate?
Thank You.
Regards,
XXXX
Thank you for the quick response. Sure, as per your suggestion we will do the quadruple test. But, please answer this question as well, doctor advised to do the test on Sep 5th and it will be 16th week on that day, so is it adviced to do that test on that day? Also, doctor suggested another test instead of NiPT i.e., needle test through which they will pull the babies chromosomes from the stomach of mother but she also mentioned it's a bit risky 1 in 300 cases.
So finally as per your suggestion you meant that there is a high chance of quadruple test also to show a positive result?
One final question, if triple marker test is done in 13th or 14th week will the results be accurate?
Thank You.
Regards,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Yes amniocentesis is risky
Detailed Answer:
If triple or quadruple tests are done at earlier gestational then they can miss the affected babies.
But in case the test is positive even at early gestation then it is quite likely that it will be positive now too.
NIPT is confirmatory if found negative but in case it is positive too then do amniocentesis to rule out and be sure of Down's syndrome.!
Alternatively directly amniocentesis can be done but that is slightly risky as told and abortion rate is 0.4-2% depending on the technique.
Whereas NIPT is not related to any abortion risk as it is just a blood test.
Yes amniocentesis is risky
Detailed Answer:
If triple or quadruple tests are done at earlier gestational then they can miss the affected babies.
But in case the test is positive even at early gestation then it is quite likely that it will be positive now too.
NIPT is confirmatory if found negative but in case it is positive too then do amniocentesis to rule out and be sure of Down's syndrome.!
Alternatively directly amniocentesis can be done but that is slightly risky as told and abortion rate is 0.4-2% depending on the technique.
Whereas NIPT is not related to any abortion risk as it is just a blood test.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much XXXXXXX for the detailed explanation. If the results are positive and if down syndrome is confirmed, what could be symptoms? Can't we proceed with the delivery? Why do we have to drop the baby? We are really concerned and hence I am troubling with so many questions, I really apologize and I hope our concern is understood.
Thank You.
Best Regards,
XXXX
Thank You.
Best Regards,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Abortion is the next step if Down's syndrome is confirmed
Detailed Answer:
You can ask any amount of questions to clarify all your doubts whether small or big, I will be glad to relieve anxiety and solve confusion anytime.
In case Down syndrome is confirmed then abortion is the only alternative as Down syndrome babies have lesser viability so are prone to abortions, preterm delivery, still births and early deaths.
Even if the baby survives there are a lot of problems to the baby which eventually becomes social liability and emotional burden.
You can visit a genetic counseller for further mental make up.
All the best
Abortion is the next step if Down's syndrome is confirmed
Detailed Answer:
You can ask any amount of questions to clarify all your doubts whether small or big, I will be glad to relieve anxiety and solve confusion anytime.
In case Down syndrome is confirmed then abortion is the only alternative as Down syndrome babies have lesser viability so are prone to abortions, preterm delivery, still births and early deaths.
Even if the baby survives there are a lot of problems to the baby which eventually becomes social liability and emotional burden.
You can visit a genetic counseller for further mental make up.
All the best
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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