![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() For example, you may want to have tests to know if there is a problem so you can work with a doctor and hospital to care for your baby after birth. Pregnant women and their partners can choose whether to have a test for birth defects. This test combines the results of tests you have in your first trimester and second trimesters. You may have only first-trimester tests or only second-trimester tests. This is called a false-positive test result. It's also possible that a test will be positive-meaning the test result is abnormal-but the baby does not have the problem. This is called a false-negative test result. A test may be negative even when the baby has a birth defect. Diagnostic tests involve taking some of the baby's cells to look at the genes and chromosomes. The doctor uses an ultrasound to look for certain changes in the baby. The blood tests are used to look for the amount of certain substances in your blood. Screening tests for birth defects are blood tests and ultrasounds. Diagnostic tests show if a baby has a certain birth defect.But it doesn't guarantee that you will have a normal pregnancy or baby. If the screening test result is "negative," it means that your baby probably doesn't have that birth defect. So your doctor may want you to have a diagnostic test to make sure. If the test result is "positive," it means that your baby is more likely to have that birth defect. It can't tell you for sure that your baby has a problem. Screening tests show the chance that a baby has a certain birth defect.There are two types of birth defects tests: screening and diagnostic. Structural problems, such as heart defects and neural tube defects, including spina bifida.Diseases passed in a family, such as Tay-Sachs, sickle cell anemia, and cystic fibrosis.Genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome and trisomy 18.A birth defect may have only a mild impact on a child's life, or it can have a major effect on quality of life or life span. Birth defects develop when something is wrong with genes or chromosomes, an organ, or body chemistry. Topic Overview What are birth defects tests?īirth defects tests are done during pregnancy to look for possible problems with the baby (fetus). For more information on newborn screening, see HealthLinkBC File #67 Newborn Blood Spot Card Screening or visit Perinatal Services BC - Newborn Screening. Early detection and treatment of some disorders can help prevent severe mental handicap, growth problems, health problems, or even sudden infant death. For more information on prenatal genetic screening, visit BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre – Prenatal Screening and Perinatal Services BC - Prenatal Genetic Screening Program.ĭuring the first few days after birth, your baby will have a newborn screening test, which includes a blood test and examination by a doctor or midwife. These tests are ordered by your health care provider and can be done at any hospital or laboratory. The tests can consist of one or more blood tests and ultrasound. Prenatal screening can tell you your chance of having a baby with birth defects. Other disorders may be detected using a detailed ultrasound scan.In British Columbia, prenatal and newborn screening is offered free to all families.ĭuring your pregnancy, your health care provider will offer prenatal screening. For possible chromosome abnormalities, an amniocentesis or chorionic villus (external link) (external link) sample will usually be needed. If the result appears to be in the ‘higher risk’ category, further tests are needed to confirm a diagnosis. They will be able to explain the meaning of the result and discuss the available options. The interpretation of the screening test result should be provided by your midwife, a genetic counsellor or doctor. However, most of the time the baby won't have the condition, the result just shows that the risk is greater than it is for other women who have been screened. PregnancyĪ higher AFP test result suggests that you are at greater risk of having a baby with a condition. If AFP does not return to normal by about 1 month after cancer therapy, some of the tumour may still be present. In general, AFP decreases when your body responds to anti-cancer therapy. Slightly increased levels of AFP are common in people who have chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis and do not necessarily indicate the presence of cancer. Increased AFP levels can be caused by liver cancer, cancer of the testis or less commonly other cancers (for example, stomach, bowel, lung, breast, lymphoma). ![]()
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