The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) recommends that the following blood tests be offered to all pregnant women. The brochures and consent forms will be given to you at your first prenatal visit. We have Board-certified genetic counselors available for comprehensive consultations.

1. Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Human immunodeficiency virus Is the virus that causes AIDS. If you have the HIV virus and it is recognized and treated appropriately, the chance of transmission to your baby decreases from around 30% to 1%

2. The Available Choice for Prenatal Screening for Genetic Counseling Includes Either:

• Early Screen/Nuchal Translucency
  • Performed between 11 2/7 weeks and 13 6/7 weeks
  • Calculates risk of trisomy 21, 18 and 13, utilizing maternal blood and ultrasound measurement of the baby’s neck
  • Detection rate of 90% with a false positive rate of 5%
  • Does not screen for spina bifida. A follow-up maternal serum screen AFP can be drawn after 15 weeks
   
• Maternal Serum “Quad” Test:
  • This test from the maternal blood measures 4 chemicals used to calculate your risk of spina bifida, Down syndrome (trisomy 21) and trisomy 18
  • The test can be drawn between 15 and 22 weeks
  • The detection rate is 80% for trisomy 21 and trisomy 18. The detection rate for open spina bifida is 85% with a false positive rate of 5%
   

3. Cystic Fibrosis

• Cystic fibrosis Is a genetic disorder that causes respiratory and digestion problems, and decreased life expectancy
• We offer cystic fibrosis testing to all patients considering a pregnancy or who are currently pregnant
• All babies born in Ohio and Kentucky will be screened routinely for cystic fibrosis while they are in the hospital