MARKERS

CLIA (Chemiluminescent Immunoassay) * In Short: CLIA is a highly sensitive immunoassay method that uses chemical reactions to produce light, which is measured to quantify the specific markers in the sample.

SERUM (2ML)

* Fasting: No fasting is required for the Dual Marker Test. You can eat and drink normally before the blood collection. *
* Medications/Supplements: * Inform your doctor and the laboratory about all prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements you are currently taking. *
* Reason: While most common medications do not interfere with the test, providing this information is crucial for your doctor to interpret the results accurately and consider any potential influences on marker levels. *
* Do not stop any prescribed medication without consulting your doctor. *
* Clinical History Required (Very Important): Providing accurate clinical information is absolutely critical for the precise calculation of risk, as the test calculation relies heavily on these details. * Accurate Gestational Age (LMP and/or Ultrasound Scan Report with CRL): This is the MOST crucial piece of information. * Reason: The levels of PAPP-A and Free Beta-hCG change rapidly and significantly with each day/week of pregnancy. An incorrect gestational age can lead to highly inaccurate risk calculations (e.g., a false high-risk or false low-risk result), potentially causing unnecessary anxiety or missed diagnoses. *
* The gestational age should ideally be confirmed by a recent ultrasound scan that measures the Crown-Rump Length (CRL). *
* Maternal Age: * Reason: Risk calculations are heavily adjusted based on maternal age, as the baseline risk of chromosomal abnormalities (like Down Syndrome) increases significantly with advancing maternal age. *
* Maternal Weight: * Reason: Used to adjust marker levels, as maternal weight can affect the concentration of markers in the blood (e.g., higher weight can dilute markers, potentially leading to lower measured values). *
* Ethnicity: * Reason: Risk calculations may vary slightly depending on ethnic background, as baseline marker levels can differ in some populations. *
* Nuchal Translucency (NT) Scan Report: * Reason: The NT measurement is an integral part of the First Trimester Combined Screening. Without this concurrent ultrasound measurement (which must be taken by a certified sonographer within the same gestational window), the Dual Marker blood test alone provides limited risk assessment. *
* Multiple Pregnancy (Twins, Triplets): * Reason: The levels of markers are significantly different in multiple pregnancies due to increased placental mass and multiple fetal units. Specific calculations are required, and the test is generally less accurate for multiple pregnancies compared to singletons. *
* Previous Pregnancies with Chromosomal Abnormalities: * Reason: This history influences prior risk assessment, as it increases the baseline risk for the current pregnancy. *
* Any Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) such as IVF: * Reason: ART pregnancies may have slightly different marker dynamics due to the precise dating and potential differences in early placental development, and specific adjustments may be needed for accurate risk calculation. *
* Other Important Details: * The blood sample collection MUST fall strictly within the specified gestational window of 11 weeks 0 days to 13 weeks 6 days. Outside this narrow window, the test is not validated for standard interpretation and the results may be inaccurate. *
* The NT scan must be performed at approximately the same time as the blood collection, and its report must be provided to the laboratory for integrated risk calculation. Both are essential for the "combined" screening. *
* Ensure all provided information (especially gestational age from CRL) is as accurate as possible to avoid misinterpretation of the risk assessment, as even a few days' error in dating can significantly alter the calculated risk.