Triple Screen Testing Essay

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The triple screen finds abnormalities caused by aneuploidy by testing for human chorionic gonadotropin, unconjugated estriol and alpha-fetoprotein, three chemicals found in the maternal serum. The quadruple screen tests for the same chemicals with the addition of inhibin A (Farrell). These tests are examples of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening that can be done on “all pregnant women, regardless of their risk of having a baby with Down syndrome or neural tube defects, serious malformations of the brain and spine” with the exception of women experiencing multiple pregnancy (Press 75, Brody). Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening uses a sample of the pregnant woman’s blood for the testing, but does not make use of the cfDNA found …show more content…

An example of this is galactosemia which causes the body to be unable to break down galactose. Effects of galactosemia may cause mental retardation, cataracts, organ failure and even death if the disorder is untreated. Early detection of this disorder by prenatal genetic testing would give the opportunity for the baby to be placed on a diet that is free of galactose after birth, preventing the serious complications of galactosemia …show more content…

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