When is alpha fetoprotein screening done

Usually an ultrasound is performed to confirm the dates of the pregnancy and to examine the fetal spine and other body parts for defects. Multiple marker screening is not diagnostic. This means it is not percent accurate, and it is only a screening test to determine who in the population should be offered additional testing for their pregnancy.

There can be false-positive results, which indicate a problem when the fetus is actually healthy, or false-negative results, which indicate a normal result when the fetus actually does have a health problem. The purpose of this screening test is to identify pregnant women who are at increased risk of having a baby with a birth defect.

Positive results will signal the need for additional prenatal testing. This is a relatively inexpensive screening test that can be offered to all pregnant women in order to identify those who may benefit from additional, non-standard testing.

It is important to remember that the AFP is a screening test and not a diagnostic test. This test only notes that a mother is at risk of carrying a baby with a potential disorder. There are approximately 25 to 50 abnormal test AFP results for every 1, pregnancies tested. Of these abnormal results, only 1 in 16 to 1 in 33 will actually have a baby that has been affected by a neural tube defect or other condition. A more conservative approach involves performing a second MSAFP or complete triple screen test followed by a high definition ultrasound.

If the testing still maintains abnormal results, a more invasive procedure such as amniocentesis may be performed.

Invasive procedures should be discussed thoroughly with your healthcare provider. It is also important to talk through further testing with your partner. Additional counseling and discussions with a counselor, social worker or minister may prove helpful.

Except for the discomfort of drawing blood, there are no risks or side effects associated with the AFP. The Alpha-fetoprotein test is not an invasive procedure and poses no known risks to the mother or baby. The AFP results may warrant additional testing. The reasons to pursue further testing or not may vary from person to person and couple to couple.

Performing further testing allows you to confirm a diagnosis and then provides you with certain opportunities:. Some individuals or couples may elect not to pursue further testing for various reasons:.

It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of further testing thoroughly with your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will help you evaluate if the benefits from the results could outweigh any risks from the procedure. Cunningham, F. Gary, et al, Ch. Results of the tests are usually ready in 1 to 2 weeks or less, depending on the lab. A multiple marker screening test is not diagnostic.

It is only a screening test to see who might need more tests for their pregnancy. There can be false-positive results. These results show a problem when the baby is actually healthy. False negative results show that everything is OK when the baby actually does have a health problem. The purpose of this screening test is to find out which women have a higher risk of having a baby with a birth defect. It is also used to find the women who need additional testing during pregnancy.

Without the AFP test, some women would not be given additional testing.