First Trimester Screening With NT Value

Preferred Specimen(s) 2mL Serum

Transport Container Red top tube or SST or Plastic screw cap tube

Transport Temperature Refrigerated (2-8°C) – 24 hrs; Frozen – 20°C – 2 months

Reject Criteria

EDTA Plasma,
Hemolyzed,
Lipemic
icteric specimens.

Methodology Chemiluminescene

Clinical Significance Maternal serum PAPP-A and free beta HCG assessment between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy is reported to have significant utility in screening & Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. A combination of maternal age related risk, free beta – HCG & fetal nuchal translucency (NT) measurements might substantially increase the efficiency of prenatal screening.