Double test

The double blood test is a prenatal, non-invasive blood test performed during the first trimester of pregnancy. This test is conducted in a laboratory and aims to identify pregnant women at increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities in the baby. It is used for screening and early detection of potential genetic disorders. Blood draw laboratories, such as IntroLab, offer this service to provide information and support to pregnant women during their prenatal care. Additionally, the cost of the double test is affordable, making the analysis accessible to all expectant mothers.

Why is the double blood test important?

The double test provides information about the likelihood of the most common chromosomal abnormalities, including Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome), and Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome).

This combined screening test includes data from an ultrasound examination and parameters determined from the mother’s blood. It is recommended that the ultrasound and lab analyses be performed on the same day to allow for an accurate risk assessment. Laboratory analyses should be completed within 48 hours after the ultrasound so the results can be considered during the test interpretation.

During the double test, the following are performed:

• Free Beta HCG analysis
• PAPPA (pregnancy-associated plasma protein A) analysis.