Test & specimen information
Maternal serum screening
Overview
Maternal Serum Screening (MSS) is a blood test offered to pregnant women who want to find out if they may be at increased risk of having a baby with Down syndrome, trisomy 18 or neural tube defects (such as spina bifida). There are two serum screening options available to Victorian women during pregnancy;
- Combined first trimester screening (CFTS) and
- Second trimester screening (2TMSS).
Combined first trimester screening can also provide useful information for the management of a pregnancy, such as the risk of developing early-onset pre-eclampsia (EO-PE).
Test type
Biochemistry
Turnaround time
5 working days from receipt of the ultrasound result.
Cost
CFTS is approximately $93 out of pocket.
Partial Medicare rebate available.