Prenatal Screening Tests
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines recommend all pregnant women should consider less invasive screenings to assess their risk for Down syndrome before the 20th week of pregnancy. PeaceHealth Laboratories offers a variety of prenatal screenings to determine the risks related to Down syndrome, trisomy 18 and open neural tube defects. We offer different tests to accommodate various prenatal circumstances.
Early Detect™ Sequential Prenatal Screening
The Early Detect™ suite of tests screen for Down syndrome, trisomy 18 and open neural tube defects. The sequential screening process combines blood test and certified ultrasound results with a complex algorithm to yield both high detection rates and low false positive rates. Early Detect™ provides peace of mind for your patient:
- Highest detection rate (90% for Down syndrome)
- Lowest false positive rate (3%)
- Results available in the first trimester for patients with high-risk Down syndrome or trisomy 18 results (high risk results referred for diagnostic testing and genetic counseling)
- Reduces need for more invasive testing procedures
- Reduces patient anxiety
Serum Integrated Screening
Serum Integrated Screening is an optimum choice when certified ultrasound technicians are not available.
- 86% detection rate for Down syndrome (4% false positive rate)
- 90% detection rate for trisomy 18
- 80% detection rate for open neural tube defects
First Trimester Only
This is the test of choice for those who are not interested in being referred for diagnostic testing should they receive a high risk screening outcome (patients with high risk sequential results are referred for diagnostic testing). The First Trimester process combines blood test and certified ultrasound results with a complex algorithm to yield both high detection rates and low false positive rates in the first trimester. Results are not combined with a second trimester blood test.
- Detection rate of 80% (for Down syndrome and trisomy 18)
- False positive rate of 5%
- Does not detect open neural tube defects (available only in second trimester)
| Sequential integrated screening | Serum integrated screening | First trimester prenatal screening only | |
| Down syndrome detection rate |
90% | 86% | 80% |
| Down syndrome false positive rate | 3% | 4% | 5% |
| Trisomy 18 detection rate |
90% |
90% | 80% |
| Open neural tube defect detection rate | 80% | 80% | Not Available |
| Benefits | Highest detection rate, lowest false positive rate; results available in the first trimester. | Highest detection rate, lowest false positive rate when NT ultrasound is not available. | Highest detection rate in the first trimester. Pricing extremely competitive. |
Quad Marker
The Quad Marker screening is a blood test optimally done between 16 and 18 weeks gestation. It detects the likelihood of Down syndrome and open neural tube defects.
- Detection rate of 79%
- False positive rate of 5%
To view the Physician Update, March 2013, please click this link: