TRIPPLE MARKER Detail

The Triple Marker Test is a non-invasive prenatal screening test performed during the second trimester of pregnancy, usually between 15 and 20 weeks of gestation. It helps assess the risk of certain fetal chromosomal abnormalities and congenital defects, including:

• Down syndrome (Trisomy 21)

• Edwards syndrome (Trisomy 18)

• Neural tube defects such as spina bifida

The test measures the levels of three important substances in the mother’s blood:

1. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) – produced by the fetal liver

2. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) – produced by the placenta

3. Unconjugated Estriol (uE3) – produced by the fetus and placenta

The test results are interpreted alongside maternal age, weight, gestational age, and other clinical factors. Abnormal levels of these markers may suggest an increased risk of chromosomal or structural abnormalities, prompting further evaluation through ultrasound, NIPT, or diagnostic tests like amniocentesis.

The Triple Marker test is not diagnostic but serves as an important screening tool in prenatal care to identify pregnancies that may need closer monitoring or further testing.