Antenatal Screening
All pregnant women are offered screening during their antenatal care. These tests are all optional and require consent.
The screening tests offered are to detect:
i) Syphilis, Hepatitis B, HIV and Rubella (one blood sample) - offered 8-12 weeks. The blood test will be performed by the midwife, obstetrician or a phlebotomist. The sample will be sent to a laboratory
ii) Sickle cell diseases and thalassaemias - offered by 10 weeks of pregnancy. Sickle cell diseases and Thalassaemia Screening is offered to women based on an assessment of risk determined by a question about their ethnic origin. The Family Origin Questionnaire will be used for this.
iii) Down’s Syndrome Test – early test offered 10-14 weeks or later test offered 15-20 weeks. Down’s Syndrome Screening is performed by end of first trimester 13 weeks 6 days. Later screening is available up to 20 weeks 0 days if required. The combined test (nuchal translucency, beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin, pregnancy associated plasma protein-A) is offered 11 weeks 0 days and 13 weeks 6 days. The quadruple test is offered between 15 weeks 0 days and 20 weeks 0 days for women who book later in pregnancy and also in cases when it is not possible to measure nuchal translucency. The laboratory will inform the clinician of any all results. The clinician will inform the woman in person of a positive result.
The laboratory will inform the clinic of all results. The lead clinician will then inform the woman of any positive results in person. A second specimen is often required to confirm the result.
iv) Detailed ultrasound anomaly scan offered 18-21 weeks. Ultrasound Screening for fetal anomalies will be offered routinely between 18 weeks and 0 days and 20 weeks 6 days. A qualified sonographer will perform the scan. The sonographer will inform the woman of all findings including inconclusive or abnormal before she leaves the room.
If you have any more questions about antenatal screening please speak to your general practitioner or midwife.
Alternatively you can visit either of the following sites:
http://www.screening.nhs.uk/programmes
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/antenatal-screening/Pages/Introduction.aspx
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