Healthy Care Program: WHAT IS THE QUAD TEST?

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The quad test is one option for parents to screen for Down syndrome and spina bifida.

One of the most commonly performed screening tools for genetic problems is known as the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) Test. The AFP is a prenatal test that screens for genetic disorders such as spina bifida and Down syndrome. It can also be used to screen for defects in the baby's abdominal wall, esophagus, and urinary tract.

If you opt to have this test done, a small vial of blood will be drawn at your care provider's office between your fifteenth and twentieth weeks of pregnancy. The sample will be sent to a lab and results take about a week. Levels of certain hormones in your blood are compared to proteins that are secreted by your baby's liver.

In some cases, your care provider may suggest comparing your hormones to several of the baby's hormones. A Quad screen compares your hormones to the fetal protein produced in the baby's liver. Hormones examined in this screen include hCG, estriol and inhibin, which are all secreted by the placenta.

It is important to remember that the AFP does not have the ability to diagnose your baby's health condition. It merely measures the statistical likelihood of having a baby with genetic problems.