How is the FTS obtained?
There are two parts to the test: a special ultrasound examination and a blood test. The ultrasound examination measures a thin layer of fluid found at the back of the baby’s neck, called the nuchal translucency (NT). A finger stick is used to collect a few drops of blood. Two biochemicals are measured in that blood sample: hCG (the pregnancy hormone) and PAPP-A (pregnancy associated plasma protein-A). These protein levels are evaluated, along with the NT measurement and the woman’s age, weight, race and the gestational age of the pregnancy, to provide an adjusted risk estimate.
