Navigating Among the Options in Antenatal Screening

Women can be offered first-trimester screening, integrated first- and second-trimester screening, or second-trimester quadruple screening.

Since its introduction in the mid-1980s, antenatal screening for aneuploidy — particularly Down syndrome — has evolved dramatically. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) currently recommends that all pregnant women, regardless of age, should be informed of their screening options and should have the option of invasive diagnostic testing.1 In recognition that not all screening protocols are available in all U.S. regions (and to limit confusion and improve efficiency without compromising patient care), ACOG endorses the strategy of offering one first-trimester screen, one second-trimester screen, or one integrated screening protocol to every patient.1

First-Trimester Screening

Screening during the first trimester allow…

Authors

Barbara O'Brien, MD

Katharine Wenstrom, MD

Navigating Among the Options in Antenatal Screening

Topics

First-Trimester Screening

Authors