One of the tests that my OB likes to run in a high risk pregnancy is a Quad Screening. Here is what the American Pregnancy Association says about the test:
"The quad screen measures high and low levels of AFP, abnormal levels of hCG and estriol, and high levels of Inhibin-A. The results are combined with the mother's age and ethnicity in order to assess probabilities of potential genetic disorders.
High levels of AFP may suggest that the developing baby has a neural tube defect such as spina bifida or anencephaly. However, the most common reason for elevated AFP levels is inaccurate dating of the pregnancy.
Low levels of AFP and abnormal levels of hCG and estriol may indicate that the developing baby has Trisomy 21(Down syndrome), Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome) or another type of chromosome abnormality."
I had the blood drawn last week and it takes a little while for the results to come in. Now the problem with this test is that there is a significant risk of a false positive, especially in the case of a twin pregnancy. I read that when you get a positive result as many as 80% of those cases are false. So now I am starting to get nervous of getting a positive and then being stressed out about it. I am glad I know about risk of false positives so I can remind myself that even if it is positive, probably nothing is wrong. I just hate going back to the worrying stage.
Posts
2 comments:
Technically it's not a "false positive" as it isn't giving you a negative/positive answer. The results aren't saying that you will have a disorder, only assessing the probability that there could be a problem. Only an indication...
Sorry, I know that doesn't help ease your fears. But it's the scientist coming out in me. ;) If the worry is that great after having the quad screen done, there is always the option of amnio to answer those fears.
No worrying though! No sense in causing undue stress until the results come in. Then you can decide whether or not to worry or do further testing. K??
I remember sitting in the waiting room waiting for the phlebotimist to call my name thinking "Do I really want to do this? I'm going to worry myself sick until I hear the results." The results actually came back quicker than expected (And they were negative! No need for worry at all!) Call your doctor's office and see if they're in and they just haven't had a chance to call you yet... I'm thinking of you and praying for the best!
Post a Comment