Pregnancy Signs & Symptoms, Week by Week Pregnancy Guide

During the pregnancy women have to go through various pregnancy tests for different reasons like her health issues or the health issues of the unborn child. Whatever may be the reason these tests are really vital.

One such test is double marker test which helps to detect if the unborn child is suffering from any abnormalities. This test is mainly conducted to check if you are suffering from Down’s syndrome. It is the detection of the condition of the fetus which is conducted usually after 8 weeks of conceiving and can be conducted till 14 weeks.

What is Double Marker Test?Â

The double marker test helps you to find if your child has any chromosomal abnormalities which might have initiated after the conception of the child. Out of every 700 births one child suffers from such abnormalities. This test helps you detect if your child has any risk of suffering any of the mental disorders like Down’s syndrome, Trisomy 18 and 21. These disorders occur due to chromosomal defects and may result in serious problems for the child after birth. This test basically checks two types of markers in blood.

1. Free Beta HCG: If high level is detected, it shows the risk of Down’s syndrome and low level points out to Trisomy 18 and also 21.
2. PAPP-A (Pregnancy Associated Plasma Protein): The presence of plasma protein in low level shows the risk of Down’s syndrome in the unborn child.

Importance of Double Marker TestÂ

This test helps you take the necessary precautions so that your child is born healthy without any abnormalities. If you are over 35 and expecting then this test is a must as your baby is at a higher risk of having chromosomal imbalance. Elderly pregnant should take this test to ensure that the baby is normal.

This test is a combination of ultrasound and blood test. Although there are some doubts regarding the authenticity of the test but most of the doctors consider it accurate and advise pregnant women to take up the test. Ensure the safety of your child so that after birth he/she does not suffer with the following symptoms of Down’s syndrome:

• Presence of single crease across the palm
• Small hands
• Eyes gets inclined both upwards and downwards
• Low set ears
• Prone to other diseases like sight, hearing, digestive and heart diseases
• Learning disability
• Less life span

Advantages and Disadvantages of Double Marker Test

The greatest advantage of the test is the safety of your child. The others are:

• Helps you to find the fact and refer the doctor for the further test.
• If detected positive in the test you can avail the diagnostic test.
• You can take a quick decision of the next step if the results are positive.

Disadvantages associated with the test include the following:

• Accuracy of the test depends upon the quality of the machines and the doctors conducting it.
• It is expensive and only few cities have the facilities.

Before you opt for the test, it is always advisable to consult a gynaecologist to find if you need it or not.