Surrogacy: prenatal screening of genetic anomalies in surrogate mothers
February 23, 2021
During her pregnancy, the surrogate mother undergoes various medical examinations to monitor the proper development of the fetus. Prenatal tests are carried out from the 11th week of pregnancy in order to detect fetal abnormalities.
Prenatal screening for trisomy 21
The prenatal screening test for trisomy 21 consists of taking two blood samples from a pregnant woman: in the 1st and 2nd trimesters of pregnancy. The aim is to analyze the measurement of biochemical markers such as pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and human chorionic gonadotropin.
The “triple” test
The “triple screening” aims to analyze three biochemical markers for the detection of genetic pathologies such as trisomy 21 and trisomy 18:
- alpha-fetoprotein,
- chorionic gonadotropin,
- free oestriol (produced by the fetus).
The “triple” test is carried out between the 16th and 18th weeks of pregnancy, the time when the most accurate results are obtained.
These tests are not compulsory but are strongly recommended for pregnant women at risk of carrying a fetus affected by chromosomal abnormalities, as well as for women with a history of pregnancy with pathologies.
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