In this Article

• 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?
• Quad Marker Screen Test Index

What Does It Mean if the Quad Marker Screen Results Are Abnormal?

Quad marker screen results that are not in the normal range do not necessarily mean there is a problem in your pregnancy.

The quad marker screen is used for screening only, which means it can only assess your risk of having a baby with a certain birth defect (it is not used to diagnose the particular problem that may be present). If the quad marker screen results are not in the normal range, further tests such as an ultrasound or amniocentesis may be necessary.

Out of 1000 pregnant women, approximately 50 will have quad marker screen results that indicate an increased risk for having a baby with a birth defect. Of those 50 women, only one or two will actually have a baby with an open neural tube defect. About 40 women will have quad marker screen results that show an increased risk for having a baby with Down syndrome and one or two will actually have a baby with Down syndrome.

Should I Have the Quad Marker Screen?

It is recommended that all pregnant women have a quad marker screen, but it is your decision whether or not to have the test. However, if you have any of the following risk factors, you may strongly want to consider having the test:

• You are age 35 or older when the baby is due
• Your family has a history of birth defects
• You've had a child with a previous birth defect
• You have had type 1 diabetes prior to your pregnancy

If you have any concerns about the test, talk to your doctor or health care provider. He or she may be able to answer your questions and alleviate concerns.

Reviewed by The Cleveland Clinic Birthing Services and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Edited by Charlotte E. Grayson, MD, April 2004, WebMD.

Portions of this page © The Cleveland Clinic 2000-2005

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Amniocentesis - Learn about amniocentesis, a procedure that examines the chromosomes of the fetus to determine lung maturity, and the possiblities of birth defects.
• Pregnancy (Stages - Trimesters of Pregnancy) - Learn what to expect during the three phases of pregnancy (1st, 2nd, 3rd trimester). Find out what changes in your body to expect, and how your baby will develop week by week.
• Alpha-fetoprotein Blood Test -

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