How the Quadruple Marker Test Can Help Detect Birth Defects

There are some marker proteins in the mother’s blood during pregnancy that can show us if the baby is healthy or not. The mother’s blood and the baby’s blood are strongly linked in circulation during the gestation period. The placental connection and the shared circulation allow healthcare providers to check for disorders and health markers for the mother and child through the former’s blood samples. The possibility of birth defects in the child can cause a lot of unhappiness and problems for the parents. The screening of birth defects on time can save and improve the child’s life through disorder management.

The Quadruple Marker test is a test for pregnant women that can achieve this goal of birth defect detection. The Quadruple Marker test is done in the second trimester of pregnancy to screen for birth defects in the child. There are many tests that the mother has to go under to monitor the health of the baby. The Quadruple Marker test is one such test to determine the health of the baby. The test looks for markers related to Down’s syndrome and other genetic disorders.

When is the Quadruple Marker test mandatory?

Every expecting mother should get the Quadruple Marker test done to screen for possible birth defects in her child. However, some people are more prone to birth defects in their children than others. If you fall under these categories, you need the Quadruple Marker test as mandatory.

• Thirty-five years or older- if you are 35, or older, the chances of aneuploidy in your gametes are higher. Couples who are over 35 years and are trying for a child should get the Quadruple Marker test.
• Viral infection- if you have a viral infection during your pregnancy, you need the Quadruple Marker test. Viral infection can lead to genetic changes due to viral DNA, which might cause birth defects in the child.
• Family history – Couples with a complex history of genetic disorders and birth defects should also check for the same in future pregnancies through the Quadruple Marker test.
• High level of radiation- If the couple has been exposed to a high level of radioactive radiation, there is a huge chance of birth defects in the child.
• Diabetic parents- Parents who have diabetes are more likely to have children with birth defects. A diabetic mother should get the Quadruple Marker test.
• Overuse of drugs – Usually, the doctor gives you a list of drugs and medications that should be avoided during pregnancy. If the mother has had these drugs, the chances of birth defects in the child increase. The doctor then suggests a Quadruple Marker test.

What are the markers of the Quadruple Marker test?

The Quadruple Marker test checks for four marker proteins, and these are as follows-

• Alpha-fetoprotein – The Alpha-fetoprotein marker is produced by the baby’s liver. The protein marker shows if the baby has any dysfunctions in the liver and Gastrointestinal tract. High levels of this marker can mean that the neural tube defect. However, high levels of AFP can also mean you are carrying twins. A deficiency of AFP can be a marker for Down’s syndrome.
• Unconjugated Estriol- Unconjugated Estriol or UE is also a marker produced by the baby and the placenta. The low levels of UE are a marker for Down’s syndrome.
• Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) – the HCG hormone is produced by the placenta during pregnancy. The marker, in its high levels, shows the possibility of Down’s syndrome.
• Inhibin A- Inhibin A is also a marker of the Quad Marker test. The marker is produced by the mother’s ovaries and placenta. High levels of Inhibin A show a possibility of Down’s syndrome.

Result Interpretation

These markers together make up the Quad Marker test. The spike or low level of any of these markers alerts the doctors about a possible birth defect in a child. If the result is negative, the child is safe from birth defects and will be born healthy. The doctor then does not suggest any further genetic tests for the unborn baby. The positive result of a Quad Marker test shows that the child is at risk of a birth defect. However, it does not confirm the presence of a birth defect. The doctor then suggests more genetic tests to confirm the type of genetic disorder and the possibility of birth defects.

Conclusion

The Quadruple Marker test screens for the risk of birth defects and can be followed by an ultrasound or an amniocentesis. The test results can mean a lot of things, and the guidance of a good genetic specialist and an obstetrician for possible genetic disorders in the baby.

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