Antenatal screening

Question 1

What blood tests are taken at 8 - 12 weeks gestation? (This will usually be the booking visit)

Answer 1

Haemaglobin
Blood type
Rhesus status
Blood borne viruses (rubella, syphillis, HIV, Hepatitis)

Question 2

What examinations are done at the booking visit?

Answer 2

height
weight
blood pressure
CVS exam
Abdo exam

Question 3

At what gestation is the nuchal thickness test done?

Answer 3

11 - 13+6 weeks

Question 4

What gestation is a blood sample looking for HCG and AFP in the screening of down syndrome done?

Answer 4

15 - 20 weeks

Question 5

You do a blood test for HCG and AFP at 16 weeks. What results would be suggestive of down syndrome?

Answer 5

High HCG and low AFP

Question 6

You do a blood test for HCG and AFP at 16 weeks. The results show a high HCG and a low AFP. What might this signify?

Answer 6

Downs syndrome

Question 7

You do a blood test for HCG and AFP at 16 weeks. Where is AFP made?

Answer 7

Foetal liver

Question 8

You do a blood test for HCG and AFP at 16 weeks. The results show a high AFP and a low HCG What might this signify?

Answer 8

Neural tube defects such as spina bifida

Question 9

What level of risk for down syndrome would require further investigation?

Answer 9

1: 250

Question 10

At what gestation can amniocentesis be performed?

Answer 10

After 15 weeks

Question 11

What is the miscarriage rate in amniocentesis?

Answer 11

1%

Question 12

At what gestation can chorionic villus sampling be performed?

Answer 12

After 12 weeks

Question 13

What is the miscarriage rate in chorionic villus sampling?

Answer 13

2%

Question 14

What tests are part of the downs syndrome screening done at 11 - 14 weeks?

Answer 14

Nuchal thickness
AFP
HCG
Estriol
Inhibin

Question 15

What tests are part of the downs syndrome screening done at 15 - 21 weeks?

Answer 15

AFP
HCG
Estriol
Inhibin