Double test for fetal malformation screening: What you need to know

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Dr. Nguyen Anh Tu - Radiologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
Screening for fetal malformations is a matter of great concern to pregnant mothers, in which the Double test prenatal screening test is recommended to be performed regularly to ensure that the baby is born intelligent and healthy.

1. Prenatal Screening Test What is Double test?

Double Test is a prenatal screening test that detects some birth defects in babies.
Double test helps to check and quantify free β-hCG (free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin) and PAPP-A (pregnancy associated plasma protein A) in the blood of pregnant women, combined with measuring nuchal translucency by ultrasound , maternal age, gestational age,... to assess the risk of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome, Edwards (Trisomy 18) and Patau (Trisomy 13) syndromes.

2. Who should do the Double test

All pregnant women need to perform prenatal screening because during pregnancy, the pregnant mother's body is very easily affected by external factors that affect the health of both mother and baby.
Currently, Double test is one of the tests recommended by the Ministry of Health for pregnant women to do. For pregnant women in the high-risk group, it is necessary to consult a specialist about specific tests to be performed.

3. At what time should pregnant women perform the Double test screening test?

Double test screening is usually done in the first trimester, which is around the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Double can be best done between 11 - 13 weeks of pregnancy, preferably in 12 - 13 weeks of pregnancy. Based on ultrasound results to determine gestational age, pregnant mothers can perform tests Test after ultrasound examination to measure nuchal translucency.

4. Does the Double test have any effect on the fetus?

Double test is a safe screening test for both mother and baby.

5. Perform Double test at medical facilities

When performing the Double test, pregnant women do not need to diet or fast like normal blood tests.
Before conducting sample collection, the doctor will explain to pregnant women better understand the meaning of the test. Pregnant women fill in all necessary information on the test request form. Some special information needs to be accurate: First day of last menstrual period, number of days of menstrual cycle, menstrual cycle regularity or not, date of last pregnancy ultrasound, week of pregnancy, number of fetuses, head length - the butt and the light at the nape of the neck.
The doctor collects a blood sample from the mother's hand vein for testing. The analysis results of Double test are available after about 2-3 days.

6. Results of Double test how to answer?

Double test results conclude that the fetus has a high or low risk of congenital malformation syndrome.

7. What to do when Double test results are high risk?

The double test is a routine screening method, but the double test is not a diagnostic test. With an accuracy of about 75%, the screening results only conclude that the fetus is at high or low risk for the syndromes, but not specifically whether the fetus has birth defects or not.
Therefore, when there is a high-risk Double test result, pregnant women need to perform other screening methods and diagnostic tests such as non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPT) to assess accurately the health status of the fetus. Test results are paid through many different methods such as direct payment, home payment, email or phone number.
Double Test is very important for any pregnant woman, especially pregnant women over 35 years old, with a history of miscarriage, stillbirth, viral infection during pregnancy. Double Test results are most accurate during 11-13 weeks of pregnancy.
Whether the Double Test screening result is highly accurate depends on the medical facility's equipment system as well as the doctor's expertise. Therefore, when performing antenatal screening, pregnant women should learn and choose reputable and safe antenatal care facilities to minimize misdiagnosis, affecting psychology, health as well as time. of pregnant women.
Vinmec International General Hospital is proud to be a high-quality medical facility that is highly appreciated by customers for its quality of examination and treatment as well as professional services. Vinmec has the most modern equipment system, with the most advanced ultrasound and testing machines in the world and a team of experienced obstetricians in prenatal diagnosis and intervention to help monitor obstetrics well. and early detection of fetal abnormalities.
In addition, to protect the health of mother and baby comprehensively, Vinmec offers a variety of package maternity services, in which a 12-week maternity package helps monitor the health of mother and baby right from the beginning of the pregnancy. period, early detection and timely intervention of health problems. In addition to the usual services, the maternity monitoring program from 12 weeks has special services that other maternity packages do not have such as: Double Test or Triple Test to screen for fetal malformations; Quantitative angiogenesis factor test to diagnose preeclampsia; thyroid screening test; Rubella test; Testing for parasites transmitted from mother to child seriously affects the baby's brain and physical development after birth. After the results of antenatal care and testing are available, doctors will analyze and advise on genetics, nutrition, and a reasonable rest regimen for pregnant women to help mothers and babies have the best health, and develop fetuses. overview.

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