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Screening tests during pregnancy are essential to rule out any health risks to pregnant women and the foetus. There are two types of tests carried out during pregnancy - normal routine tests performed on every pregnant woman and specific tests conducted on women who are at risk.

The routine tests performed on almost all pregnant women include the following.

• Complete blood count (CBC): This test examines haemoglobin levels, hematocrit and platelet count.
• Urine examination: The urine examination is carried out to rule out urinary tract infections (UTI). The test also checks on abnormal renal activity.
• Blood type, Rh status, and antibody examination: The blood type of the pregnant women is confirmed to avoid a mix up in case a transfusion is needed. Rh status confirms if the women is Rh negative, so that RhoGAmis is given to prevent her from becoming Rh sensitized. Antibodies are checked because they can cause blood disease in the unborn child.
• Syphilis screen: Syphilis can result in premature labour or death and can cause congenital anomalies in the baby.
• Rubella screen: Rubella syndrome, however rare, can bring upon severe health risks such as premature childbirth, congenital anomalies in the baby, and other serious complications.
• Pap smear: The tests are carried out to rule out precancerous growth in the cervix, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.
• Hepatitis B: Pregnant women with hepatitis B can pass on the disease to their child during or after birth.
• HIV screening for AIDS: There are 30% chances of a perinatal transmission risk of AIDS from the affected mother to the baby. The appropriate treatment may prevent the risk of transmission.
• Hemoglobin disorder: The blood screening can check if the pregnant woman is a carrier of thalassaemia, sickle cell, or other blood related irregularities.
• Gestational diabetes: The condition affects about 2% to 3% of pregnant women. The detection would help in the prevention of any metabolic problems in the infant due to the condition.
• Group B streptococcus (GBS): GBS infection in the mother can cause sepsis in the newborn baby.

Tests for Pregnant Women over 35

The tests for pregnant women over 35 include:

• Chorionic villus sampling (CVS): This specialised test detects various disorders in the unborn baby including Down's syndrome.
• Alpha-feto-protein: The test carried out between 15 to 20 weeks into pregnancy indicates the risk of Down's syndrome and problems related to the development of the spinal cord, the spinal column, the skull or the brain.
• Aminocentesis: This test has a high accuracy rate of 99.9% in the detection of Down's syndrome and other abnormalities.
• Cardocentesis: The test also known as umblical vein sampling or foetal blood sampling is carried out to detect Down's syndrome and toxoplasmosis.
• Ultrasound examination: An ultrasound can detect spina bifida, Down's syndrome, ectopic pregnancy, and miscarriage.

Tests for Pregnant Women over 40

Pregnancy over 40 is considered high-risk pregnancy, and the screenings and tests become more important in this age group in order to rule out any major risks to the unborn child and the mother.

References

• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003432.htm