![]() Additional diagnostic tests can then be done, if you’d like. In the rare chance that a screening test does come back positive, your healthcare provider will be able to explain what the results mean. ![]() A screening test like the MSAFP can give your healthcare provider important information about your baby that contributes to an overall assessment of your little one’s health. It’s normal to want reassurance that everything is OK with your little one. Your provider will be able to explain the risks and benefits of these diagnostic tests to you so that you can decide how you wish to proceed. If, however, your healthcare provider determines your baby is at risk, she may recommend further diagnostic tests, such as amniocentesis (tested in the second trimester), so that she can make a diagnosis.Īmniocentesis requires a sample of your amniotic fluid. It’s worth noting that the chance of getting a positive result is very low. Remember that the MSAFP test only helps your healthcare provider to assess your baby’s risk of being born with certain medical conditions. Keep in mind that each testing laboratory may have a different range for determining the risk so it’s best to ask your healthcare provider to interpret the results for you. Taking into account other factors such as your age, your healthcare provider can use the MSAFP test results to determine how high or low the risk is of your baby having a certain medical condition. What Happens if Your MSAFP Test Result Is Outside the Normal Range? Your healthcare provider has the expertise to assess the level of risk, and will go over the test results with you. ![]() High levels of MSAFP could indicate a neural tube defect such as spina bifida, whereas low levels could a chromosomal abnormality such as Down syndrome. What Do the Maternal Serum Alpha Fetoprotein Levels Mean? These may include a neural tube defect such as spina bifida or chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21) and trisomy 18. These combined tests are sometimes referred to as an integrated screening.īy looking at the results of all these prenatal scans and tests together, your healthcare provider can try to determine whether your baby is at risk of being born with certain medical conditions. Results from your first trimester screening, which includes a nuchal translucency screening, combined with the results from the quadruple screen, which includes the MSAFP test, are looked at together by your healthcare provider to get a more complete picture of your little one’s health. It's often done as part of a quadruple screening test (or quad screen), which besides testing for MSAFP also tests for the pregnancy hormones hCG, estriol, and inhibin-A. If you’re unsure about whether you’d like this screening test, ask your provider for advice on what’s recommended for your situation so that you can make an informed choice.Ī maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein test is typically done in the second trimester between 16 and 18 weeks of pregnancy. The test helps your healthcare provider assess your little one’s risk of certain medical conditions. ![]() This test is commonly offered to all moms-to-be in the second trimester as part of their prenatal care. What Is a Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein Screening Test?Ī maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening is a type of prenatal blood test that measures the levels of MSAFP in your body. Too little may indicate your little one has a chromosomal abnormality, like Down syndrome. Too much AFP in your body may indicate that your baby is at risk of a neural tube defect, like spina bifida, which results from incomplete development of the brain and spinal cord. That’s why it’s called a maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein test. What Is Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein?Īlpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein that is produced by your baby as he develops during your pregnancy.Īlthough it’s the baby who produces AFP, it becomes present in the mother's bloodstream as well. To help you understand what this test is all about, we’ve addressed some frequently asked questions about the maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening, including how it’s done and what the results can tell your healthcare provider about your little one’s health. This screening test is called the maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein test or MSAFP for short. One of these tests checks the level of alpha-fetoprotein produced by your baby as a way to assess your little one’s risk of a neural tube defect or a chromosomal abnormality. During the second trimester, your healthcare provider will likely recommend some screening tests. ![]()
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