PAGE EXPIRES:  June 2000

SYNONYMS:  Triple marker; triple marker profile; triple screen; AFP triple marker; maternal serum alphafetoprotein; MSAFP

COMPONENT TESTS:

Gestational age	Gestational age determination
Race	Weight
Diabetes	AFP maternal
Unconjugated estriol (UE3)	Adjusted Median of the Mean (MoM) UE3
Triple marker hCG	Adjusted MoM hCG
Open Neural Tube Defect risk evaluation	Adj MoM AFP
Trisomy 18 risk	Risk of Down's syndrome - age
Risk of Down's syndrome - age, markers

SCHEDULE:     TURNAROUND TIME:  7 days (in house)

SPECIMEN AND COLLECTION REQUIREMENTS:

• Collection Sample:  Blood
• Site/Specimen:  Serum
• Container:  MARB/RED
• Order Entry Remark:  
• Ward Remarks:  Patient data required
  
  1. Race
  2. Weight
  3. Diabetes: Yes or No
  4. Gestational age
  5. Gestational age determination; LMP, Sonogram, or Exam
  6. DOB
  7. HCP phone number
  8. Patient must be within 15-21 weeks of gestation for this screening program
  9. Obtain prior to amniocentesis
  10. Indicate whether this is an initial or repeat submission
• Lab Processing Instructions:  2 mL serum; separate and freeze immediately; hemolyzed specimen or lack of demographic data are cause for rejection

STORAGE AND SHIPPING:  Separate and freeze immediately

CAUSES FOR REJECTION:  Improperly labeled specimen; hemolyzed; missing demographic data

USES:  Prenatal screen for Down's Syndrome, Open Neural Tube Defect (ONTD), and Trisomy 18.

REFERENCE VALUES:

• Down's Syndrome risk cutoff 1:270
• ONTD: AFP MoM < 2.5

METHOD:  AFP & hCG by Abbott MEIA; UE3 by RIA

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS:  

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