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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffThe quad screen is a prenatal test that measures levels of four substances in a pregnant woman's blood:
- Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a protein produced by the baby's liver
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone produced by the placenta
- Estriol, another pregnancy-related hormone
- Inhibin A, another pregnancy-related protein
Typically, the quad screen is done between weeks 15 and 20 of pregnancy. Results of the quad screen indicate your risk of carrying a baby who has certain developmental or chromosomal conditions, such as spina bifida or Down syndrome.
If your risk level is low, the quad screen can offer reassurance of a healthy pregnancy. If your risk level is moderate or high, you may choose to follow the quad screen with more invasive diagnostic testing — such as amniocentesis — to determine whether the baby actually has Down syndrome or other developmental or chromosomal conditions.
The quad screen is also known by various other names, including the quad marker screen, four-marker screen, multiple marker screen and maternal serum marker.
