Quad mark test

The quad marker test is a prenatal test that determines if a woman is at a higher or lower risk of carrying a baby with a birth defect such as Down syndrome or neural tube defects. It measures the levels of four substances in a pregnant woman's blood: - Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a protein made by the developing baby - Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone made by the placenta - Estriol, a hormone made by the placenta and the baby's liver - Inhibin A, another hormone made by the placenta It is important to remember that the quad screen is a screening test and not a diagnostic test. This test only notes that a mother is at risk of carrying a baby with a genetic disorder. Many women who experience an abnormal test result may go on to deliver healthy babies.