The double marker test, also known as the dual marker blood test or maternal serum screening, is a predictive test used to detect chromosomal abnormalities in a fetus. The two indicators examined in the blood erythrocytes during the test are beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is a pregnancy-related hormone, and pregnancy-related plasma protein A (PAPP-A) is also tested during the double marker test procedure!
There is a clear link between chromosomal defects and changed amounts of these indicators, and physicians usually prescribe the double marker test during the first trimester of pregnancy to detect any defects early on. This way, through the use of a double marker test, they can prevent a variety of postpartum health complications for the baby.
A double marker test in pregnancy measures particular biomarkers in a pregnant woman's blood throughout the first trimester of her pregnancy, which typically lasts until thirteen weeks after conception. This dual marker test examines the developing fetus for chromosomal abnormalities, namely Down syndrome, Edward syndrome, and Patau syndrome since prenatal care is essential for a healthy pregnancy and successful birth.
Early prenatal tests like this reveal potential health issues and requirements for direct medical actions if needed, and that’s exactly why a Double Marker Test in the first trimester is a critical component of early prenatal evaluation. It provides crucial information about the growing fetus's chromosomal health, and for that, this test focuses on two biomarkers in maternal blood that the fetus and placenta generate.
This test assesses the risk of genetic disorders by examining these indicators in addition to maternal age and ultrasound results.
Screening with a double marker test during the first trimester is suggested but not essential for every single woman! If you're over 35 years of age and have a family history of particular conditions, which might increase your chance of chromosomal abnormalities, in that situation, you should be considering having a screening. Remember that this result can only tell you whether you have a higher chance of trisomies, not why, so the abnormality status cannot be confirmed with absolute confidence.
When deciding whether or not to undergo a double marker test, you should always consider what the results may mean for you if the findings are higher than expected. For example, you might have to be examined more thoroughly to know more about these irregularities, and make a decision about if you would continue the pregnancy in light of these findings.
The first step in a double marker blood test screening is to do an ultrasound, and then a blood test will be performed to detect the levels of the two markers - Free Beta-hCG (BHB) and Free PAPP-A (PAPP-A).
Here are the steps of the double marker test procedure:
The double marker test findings are often reported as ratios, indicating whether a pregnant woman is at low, moderate, or high risk of chromosomal abnormalities!
Low risk - Ratios greater than 1:250.
High risk - Ratios less than 1:250
In the case of a high-risk pregnancy, the baby is more likely to acquire chromosomal abnormalities, and as a result, continuing the pregnancy with these findings may raise the chance of mortality during delivery. Your healthcare practitioner will evaluate your results and check them against the double marker test in pregnancy normal values while also considering your other pregnancy's details to provide personalized suggestions.
The double marker test not only gives parents the information they need to make educated pregnancy decisions, but it also diagnoses problems in the developing fetus.
If your screening results indicate a moderate or high risk for abnormalities, you may want to discuss your findings with a genetic counselor to learn more, and Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), amniocentesis, or chorionic villus sample can all be used to validate your results.
The double marker test is one of the most significant tests for detecting certain types of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus during the first trimester of your pregnancy, which can help prevent a variety of postnatal health complications. This is considered an important tool in prenatal care because it provides early insights into the baby's genetic health and leads to additional testing as needed, as a result, expectant parents can utilize this information to make more educated choices regarding their pregnancy care.
Contact Pathkind Labs for a double marker test! Receive accurate results in just a couple of days since the lab uses cutting-edge modern laboratory technology to produce test findings.
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