• Introduction
• What happens during the test?
• When should I get a quad marker screen?
• What substances are measured during a quad marker screen?
• Is the quad marker screen safe?
• What does it mean if the quad marker screen results are normal?
• What does it mean if the quad marker screen results are abnormal?
• Should I have the quad marker screen?

Introduction

The quad marker screen, previously called the triple marker screen, is a blood test that provides a woman and her health care provider with useful information about her pregnancy . The test predicts the likelihood of a certain problem occurring. It does not diagnose the problem. For example, cholesterol screening determines a person's risk for heart disease based on the amount of cholesterol in the blood, but it does not necessarily mean that the person has heart disease. The quad marker screen determines if a woman is at higher or lower risk of carrying a baby with a birth defect. This means that some women with healthy babies will have screening results indicating a possible problem (and will be offered appropriate follow-up testing) while some women whose babies have birth defects will go undetected.

Because of the uncertainties surrounding the test result, you may opt to not have it. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of taking this test before you make a final decision.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

Pregnancy (Stages of Pregnancy) - Learn how to have a healthy pregnancy by reading about symptoms, procedures and tests and what to expect during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Source:Government Pregnancy Planning - The goals of pregnancy planning are to create a healthy environment for the fetus and to prevent birth defects and other pregnancy related problems. Source:MedicineNet Pregnancy: Preeclampsia and Eclampsia - preeclampsia is a condition that pregnant women can get and is marked by three specific symptoms. Eclampsia is the final and most severe phase of preeclampsia and occurs when preeclampsia is left untreated. Source:WebMD Medical Reference from The Cleveland Clinic Read 13 more Quad Marker Screen Test related articles ... Health Tip: Traveling During Pregnancy Health Tip: Keeping the Caregiver Healthy Lowering Dietary Fat May Help Prevent Prostate Cancer Acne Drug Prevents Tissue Damage From Emphysema Hot Flashes Reduced by Neck Injection Health Highlights: May 15, 2008 Embryonic Pathways Induce Stem Cell Traits New Laser Approved to Treat Psoriasis Genes Play Part in Prostate Cancer Among Races Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Dry Dog Food