The activities of the Prenatal Screening Branch (PNS) are focused on detecting birth defects during pregnancy. PNS is working to assure Prenatal screening services and follow-up services where indicated are available to all pregnant women in California. The PNS administers the Prenatal Screening Program, in the past known as the "Expanded AFP Program". Prenatal screening currently offers three types of screening tests to pregnant women in order to identify individuals who are at increased risk for carrying a fetus with a specific birth defect.
Quad Marker Screening - One blood specimen drawn at 15 weeks - 20 weeks of pregnancy (second trimester test).
Serum Integrated Screening - Combines a first trimester blood test screening result (10 weeks-13 weeks 6 days) with a second trimester blood test screening result (15 weeks-20 weeks).
Sequential Integrated Screening - Combines first and second blood test results with Nuchal Translucency (NT) ultrasound results. This type of ultrasound is done by clinicians with special training. It measures the back of the fetus' neck. This measurement helps screen for Down syndrome. (Note: the Screening Program does not pay for NT ultrasounds). Patients with first trimester blood specimens and NT will get a preliminary risk assessment for chromosomal abnormalities in the first trimester. This preliminary risk will be revised when the second trimester blood specimen is received.
The Prenatal Screening Program provides pregnant women with a risk assessment for open neural tube defects (NTD), abdominal wall defects (AWD), down syndrome (trisomy 21), trisomy 18 and SLOS (Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome) through one or two blood tests. Because the screening doesn't diagnosis fetal birth defects, the Program provides women who are at high risk based on the screening test results free follow-up services at State-approved Prenatal Diagnosis Centers (PDCs) (PDF).
Services offered at these Centers include genetic counseling, ultrasound, and amniocentesis. Participation in the screening testing and follow-up services is voluntary. The cost of the testing through the Prenatal Screening Program is $162.