Antenatal (Prenatal) Screening Higher Human Biology Unit 2 – Human Physiology
Ante- and postnatal screening antenatal (prenatal) - before birth postnatal - after birth
Blood pressure is checked Blood type identified Blood and urine tests carried out Ultrasound imaging (Scans)
Biochemical Tests Tests which measure the concentration of a substance in the body by analysing blood or urine samples. i.e. the presence of HCG in the blood or urine after implantation is the basis of early pregnancy tests.
Chemical Markers At weeks women are offered a series of biochemical tests that check for 3 markers. AFP (alpha-foetoprotein) HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin) Estriol
Biochemical tests can also indicate the health of the mother. i.e. pre-eclampsia
False Positive; o If a marker was measured at an inappropriate time and found to be high it may be thought that the foetus has a condition that it does not. False Negative; o When the outcome of an investigative procedure shows a negative outcome when actually the person does have the condition.
Applying your knowledge books o Page 34 Q1, 2.