Can it test for Spina Bifida?
We do know that one of the substances measured in the Triple Test can be raised when there is a problem such as Spina Bifida, however it can be raised for other reasons too. Once again, if your level is higher, your community midwife will contact you within a week and you will be offered an appointment for an ultrasound scan. An ultrasound scan allows us to check the baby in great detail and will usually identify the problem if there is a Spina Bifida. About 1 in 50 women having the Triple Test will have a high level of this substance but the majority will have an unaffected baby. Because we know that many babies who have a raised level in pregnancy are perfectly normal the recommended screening test for Spina Bifida is the 18-20 week scan. This is why if you have had a different screening test for Down’s syndrome you should not have a Triple test as well, just to screen for Spina Bifida. During this scan particular features that can be seen in babies with Spina Bifida are looked for.
