Pre-Natal testing is a way to check for the presence of spina befida. These tests include:
- Blood tests
- Ultrasound
- Amniocentesis
The main blood test is the maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein test (MSAFP). This test looks for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a protein produced by the fetus. Abnormally high levels may indicate that the fetus has a neural tube defect, most commonly spina bifida or anencephaly, a condition characterized by an underdeveloped brain and an incomplete skull.
Ultrasound exams to help determine the cause of high AFP levels. If the levels are still not explained, Amniocentesis is used to sample and analyze fluid from the amniotic sac that surrounds the fetus.
del.icio.us
Digg this
