Medical Necessity Documentation:
Client Notes:
Patient Preparation:
The Maternal Serum Screen in pregnant women should be performed between 14.0 and 22.9 weeks gestational age, although the optimal period is 15.0-16.9 weeks. This time frame allows sufficient opportunity for further diagnostic studies if the initial Maternal Serum Screen test results are abnormal. Specimens submitted before 14.0 weeks or after 22.9 weeks gestation cannot be properly evaluated for open neural tube defects, Down syndrome, or trisomy 18.
Specimen Requirements:
1.0 mL Serum from a Red Top Tube into a Plastic Vial
Collection Instructions:
Collect specimen between 14-22.9 weeks gestation.
Please make sure completing AFP Form
Minimum Volume:
0.5 mL Serum
Transport & Storage: Temperature/Stability:
14 days Ambient
14 days Refigerated
45 days Frozen
Rejection Criteria:
Grossly Lipemic; Grossly Hemalyzed
Reference Range:
Refer to Interpretive Results
Critical Ranges:
Test Comments:
This is a screening test, not a diagnostic test
Methodology:
Immunoassay (IA)
Clinical Significance:
Maternal serum triple screen is used for prenatal screening for Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome), and Open Neural Tube Defects (ONTD). This profile includes Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP), unconjugated Estriol (µE3), and human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG). Establishing risk for fetal Down syndrome, using the triple screen achieves a 55-65% detection rate with a 5% false positive rate. Screening for Trisomy 18 detects 60% of affected fetuses with a 0.2% false positive rate. MSAFP screening detects 88% of anencephaly and 79% of open spina bifida with a 3% false positive rate. Normal results do not ensure birth of a normal infant. In addition, 2-3% of newborns have some type of physical or mental defect, many of which may be undetectable with current prenatal diagnostic procedures.
Documentation:
Custom Panel:
No
PRODUCTION SCHEDULE
Turn Around Time:
1 day
Days Performed:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Sites Performed:
Quest - Chantilly
PHL Test Code:
TRIPS
EPIC Test Code:
LAB3061
Send Out Test Code:
7292
Alternate Test Names:
AFP; Alpha-Fetoprotein; Maternal Serum; Triple Test
Included Tests:
Alpha-Fetoprotein(AFP); unconjugated Estriol; Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG); Maternal Risk Interpretation
CPT Coding:
82105, 82677, 84702