What does mid-pregnancy screening mean?

Aug 27, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Lv Aiming

Introduction

Mid-trimester screening refers to a prenatal screening test performed during the second trimester of pregnancy. Specifically, it is a non-invasive method that combines maternal blood tests and ultrasound examinations to assess the risk of fetal chromosomal abnormalities. Its primary purpose is to help pregnant women and their families understand the health status of the fetus and make informed choices and decisions.

Mid-trimester screening generally refers to a prenatal screening test performed during the middle stage of pregnancy. The detailed analysis is as follows:

Mid-trimester screening is a non-invasive testing method that combines maternal blood tests and ultrasound examinations to assess the risk of fetal chromosomal abnormalities. Its primary purpose is to help pregnant women and their families understand the health status of the fetus and make informed choices and decisions. A blood sample from the pregnant woman is collected to measure the concentrations of several specific biomarkers, including human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), estriol, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Through ultrasound examination, doctors can observe the fetal growth, organ development, and any structural abnormalities. Particular attention is paid to the thickness of the nuchal translucency. By integrating the mother's personal information, blood test results, and ultrasound findings into a specialized calculation model, the risk of fetal chromosomal abnormalities and neural tube defects can be estimated.

If mid-trimester screening indicates a high risk, further diagnostic procedures such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) are recommended to confirm the diagnosis.

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