PRENATAL SCREENING
Prenatal screening refers to procedures that can identify a subset of the general population that is at an increased risk of congenital abnormality. This subset is referred to as the high risk group. The type and timing of prenatal screening method depends on the abnormality at risk. For example, in genetic defect such as sickle cell disease, haematological screening is done for couples to identify their genotype, while in chromosomal abnormality, the maternal serum and ultrasound assessment of the fetus produce risk assessment.
INDICATION(S) FOR PRENATAL SCREENING
- Pregnancy irrespective of background
- Pregnancy exposed to harmful agents (teratogens) such as drugs, X-rays etc.
- Pregnancy complicated by medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension.
- Pregnancy affected by infection (TORCHS).
- History of previously affected pregnancies/fetus with either a medical or surgical condition.
- Family history of congenital abnormalities e.g Down syndrome, cleft lip.
- Abnormal fetal growth.
