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.

Cost:$111-120

Pre-eclampsia is high blood pressure caused by pregnancy. It is one of the most common and life-threatening conditions occurring in pregnancy and affects around 1 in 20 pregnant women. Early-onset pre-eclampsia (EO-PE) affects 0.3% of pregnancies and is defined as delivery prior to 34 weeks of gestation. It is usually complicated by inter-uterine growth restriction and associated with poor placentation early in pregnancy.

EO-PE is an optional addition to combined first trimester screening.

Cost:Free for public patients

This test measures four chemicals: alpha-feto protein, unconjugated estriol, free beta hCG and dimeric inhibin A. These results are combined with maternal age, weight and gestation to give a result.

This test is free for public patients in public antenatal clinics. For non-public patients, there is a partial Medicare rebate. The out of pocket cost is approximately $80.

Sample

Plain tube or serum gel 7 mL
(EDTA or Heparinised blood is unacceptable).

Storage & transport

If there is a delay in transport, separate and freeze serum at -20 degrees Celsius.

Collection notes

Timing of sample collection:

combined first trimester screening: between 9+0 and 13+6 weeks gestation
combined first trimester screening + EO-PE: between 11+0 and 13+6 weeks
second trimester screening: between 14+0 and 20+6 weeks gestation (15-17 weeks is best)

Patients taking large doses of biotin (>10mg per day) should cease this intake one day prior to blood collection for this test.

Relevant links

MSS test request form

Interpreting CFTS (NIPT, low PAPP-A)

Talk to us

Maternal serum screening

1300 118 247

[email protected]

Relevant links

MSS test request form

Interpreting CFTS (NIPT, low PAPP-A)

Maternal serum screening

On this page

Overview

Test type

Turnaround time

Cost

Test options

Combined first trimester screening (CFTS)

Cost:Blood test - approximately $93

Medicare item:#66750

CFTS + early onset pre-eclampsia

Cost:$111-120

Second trimester serum screening

Cost:Free for public patients

Specimen requirements

Sample

Storage & transport

Collection notes

Relevant links

Talk to us

On this page

Relevant links

Featured tests

VCGS

Other

social