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Antenatal and postnatal screeningAntenatal screening

Antenatal and postnatal screening are used to protect the health of mothers and babies. Antenatal techniques include ultrasound imaging, dating scans, blood and urine tests and diagnostic testing, such as amniocentesis, CVS and genetic screening. Postnatal screening can involve diagnostic testing such as PKU.

Part of Human BiologyPhysiology and Health

Antenatal screening

Image caption,
An ultrasound scan on a pregnant woman

Antenatal screening is used to identify any possible risks to the mother or foetus during pregnancy or to identify health issues that will affect the baby.

If a risk is identified, then further tests can be carried out and a prenatal diagnosis given.

Different techniques are used for a range of purposes.

Ultrasound imaging

Pregnant women are routinely given two ultrasound scans during their pregnancy:

  • Dating scan
    • carried out between 8 and 14 weeks
    • used to determine stage of pregnancy and due date
    • used with tests for marker chemicals which vary during pregnancy
  • Anomaly scan
    • carried out between 18 and 20 weeks
    • may detect any serious physical abnormalities

Blood and urine tests

Regular checks are carried out on the mother鈥檚 urine and blood to monitor concentrations of marker chemicals which can identify a possible condition.

These chemicals vary normally during pregnancy. This is why they are used in conjunction with scans, as measuring chemicals at the wrong time can lead to a false positive result.

Changing chemistry in blood and urine can be used to indicate and .