What Follow-Up Testing may be recommended if the Screening Test is Abnormal?
• A basic ultrasound (sonogram) to date the pregnancy. If the ultrasound shows a different gestational age, the screening test results may be recalculated, and may lead to a different interpretation. • A more detailed ultrasound examination which allows the doctor to look at the baby’s brain and spinal cord, as well as other parts of the body. This ultrasound can often identify an open neural tube defect or other malformation associated with an abnormal screening test. • An amniocentesis. Amniocentesis is the withdrawal of a small amount of amniotic fluid (the water surrounding the baby) from the uterus. The fluid contains proteins and cells which can be tested with great accuracy for open neural tube defects, Down syndrome and trisomy 18. Click Here to see our Amniocentesis FAQ Page. Unlike the screening test, which is done on a blood sample from the pregnant woman, amniocentesis has some risk of causing a miscarriage. For this reason, amniocentesis is not offered to everyone. It is o
