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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffThe quad screen is a prenatal test that measures levels of four substances in a pregnant woman's blood:
- Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a protein made by the baby's liver
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone made by the placenta
- Estriol, a hormone made by the placenta and the baby's liver
- Inhibin A, another hormone made by the placenta
Typically, the quad screen is done between weeks 15 and 20 of pregnancy. Results of the quad screen indicate your risk of carrying a baby who has certain developmental or chromosomal conditions, such as spina bifida or Down syndrome — not whether your baby actually has these conditions.
If your risk level is low, the quad screen can offer reassurance of a healthy pregnancy. If your risk level is moderate or high, you may choose to follow the quad screen with more invasive diagnostic testing — such as amniocentesis — to determine whether the baby actually has Down syndrome or other developmental or chromosomal conditions.
The quad screen is also known by various other names, including the quad marker screen and four marker screen.
- Canick JA, et al. Second trimester maternal serum screening for Down syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 8, 2010.
- Canick JA, et al. Laboratory issues related to maternal serum screening for Down syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 8, 2010.
- Routine tests in pregnancy. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp133.cfm. Accessed March 8, 2010.
- NINDS anencephaly information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/anencephaly/anencephaly.htm. Accessed March 8, 2010.
- NINDS spina bifida information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/spina_bifida/spina_bifida.htm. Accessed March 8, 2010.
- Lao MR, et al. The ability of the quadruple test to predict adverse perinatal outcomes in a high-risk obstetric population. Journal of Medical Screening. 2009;16:55.
- Murry MM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 24, 2010.
- Harms RW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 30, 2010.
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