Triple Test Investigation

TRIPLE TEST
INTRODUCTION:-
The Triple Test is a blood test performed during pregnancy to help the pregnanat
women and the physician learn more about the developing baby. Its purpose is to
SCREEN for possible neural tube defects, Down syndrome and Trisomy 18 in the
developing baby. The laboratory will measure three substances in the blood: alpha-
fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and estriol.
AFP is a substance made by the baby that enters the amniotic fluid (the bag of water
surrounding the baby) and the mother’s bloodstream. A small amount of AFP is
normally found in the amniotic fluid and the mother’s blood. When the amount is
high, it is a signal to the physician to look further for the possibility of a neural tube
defect.
Estriol and hCG come from the developing baby and placenta and can be measured in
the mother’s blood. A woman who is carrying a baby with Down syndrome may have
lower blood levels of AFP and estriol and higher blood levels of hCG than women
with unaffected babies. A woman who is carrying a baby with Trisomy 18 may have
lower blood levels of AFP, estriol and hCG than women with unaffected babies. The
AFP, estriol and hCG values are factored together with information about you (your
age, gestational age, weight, race, and diabetic status) and risks for Down syndrome
and Trisomy 18 are provided.
The Triple Test has been available to pregnant women for many years now and can
provide the patient and the physician with the important information about pregnancy.
MSAFP (Maternal serum AFP) may lead to the detection of up to 85% of open neural
tube defects when used in conjunction with diagnostic procedures such as ultrasound
and amniocentesis. Abnormal Triple Test results followed by ultrasound and
amniocentesis may lead to the detection of 60 to 70% of Down syndrome pregnancies
and many Trisomy 18 pregnancies. In addition to providing information about
potential neural tube defects, Down syndrome and Trisomy 18 the Triple Test may
provide information that could help to identify twins, find certain other abnormalities
that may be present and alert your physician to increased risks for other pregnancy
complications.
A normal Triple Test is a SCREENING test and does not guarantee that will have a
healthy baby. The test is simply not able to detect every pregnancy with a neural tube
defect, Down syndrome or Trisomy 18. Thus, some women with a normal Triple Test
result may still have a baby with a neural tube defect, Down syndrome or Trisomy 18.
DEFINITION:-
The Triple Test is a blood test performed during pregnancy to help pregnant women
and the physician learn more about the developing baby.
OR
The triple test, also called triple screen, the Kettering test or the Bart's test, is an
investigation performed during pregnancy in the second trimester to classify a patient
as either high-risk or low-risk for chromosomal abnormalities (and neural tube
defects).
OR
The triple test is one of a range of screening tests that are used to identify pregnant
women whose fetus is likely to be affected by trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and who
should then be offered a diagnostic test.
OR
The triple test is a blood test which is performed between 15 and 17 weeks of
pregnancy. It tests the levels of three components in the mother's blood which have
come from the placenta:
 Beta HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin) – hCG is a hormone produced

by the placenta. High levels of this hormone can indicate a molar pregnancy or
multiple pregnancies, whereas low levels of this hormone can indicate possible
complications in the pregnancy like a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.
 Estriol - Estriol is an oestrogen produced by both the foetus and the placenta.
Low levels of this hormone can indicate the risk of having a baby with Down
syndrome.
 AFP (Alpha-Fetoprotein)- AFP is a protein produced by the developing foetus.
High levels of this protein can indicate possible defects such as neural tube
defects in the baby.
OR
The triple marker screen test (also known as triple marker test) is a simple non-
invasive blood test that is carried out between the 15th and 18th week of pregnancy.
In this test, a sample of blood is taken and the levels of AFP, hCG, and estriol in the
blood are measured to determine any abnormalities in the foetus.
AIMS:-
 To ensure satisfactory growth and well being of the fetus throughout
pregnancy.
 To screen out the high risk factors that affects the growth of the fetus.
PURPOSE:-
 Advanced maternal age.
 Previous child with a chromosome abnormality
 Women who are pregnant with multiples (twins or more)
 Family history of single gene disorder.
 Family history of neural tube defect.
 Family history of other congenital structural abnormalities.
 Abnormalities identified in pregnancy.
 Women who have previously had miscarriages .
 Other high risk factors (consguinity ,poor obst. ,maternal illness).
INDICATION :-
 Early in pregnancy, used for diagnosis of chromosomal and other fetal
problems such as:
 Down syndrome (trisomy 21)
 Trisomy 18
 Fragile X
 Rare, inherited metabolic disorders
 Neural tube defects
THE SITE OF PROCEDURE:-
 In early month:- 1/3 of the way up the uterus from symphysis pubis.
 In later month:- suprapubic approach after lifting the presenting part

 Flanks in between the fetal limb.
 Below the umbilicus behind the neck of the fetus.
PROCEDURE:
STEPS-
Step 1: First, the we will ask the patient to extend the arm and make a fist. This will
help him find the patients vein.
Step 2: Then the we will place a strap around the arm and secure this point firmly.
Step 3: Next, the technician will clean the area with an antibacterial and antiseptic
wipe.
Step 4: Then a needle will be inserted attached to a vial used for blood storage.
Step 5: Once the vial is full, the we will pull out the vial, clean the area with another.
Step 6: The blood sample will then be sent for evaluation to a lab where the
biochemist will evaluate the sample.
Step 7: The results will then be put in software which will then be sent to the doctor.
The doctor will then share the result with patient and family members.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Annamma Jacob, “A Comprehensive Textbook of Midwifery and
Gynecological Nursing” Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD, Third
Edition,2012. Page

Triple Test Investigation

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Triple Test Investigation

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Triple Test Investigation

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

TRIPLE TEST

 Beta HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin) – hCG is a hormone produced

THE SITE OF PROCEDURE:-

 In later month:- suprapubic approach after lifting the presenting part

You might also like