AFP4 or Maternal Serum Screening

The maternal serum multiple marker test is a prenatal screening test using blood from the mother that can help identify women who may be carrying a baby with certain types of birth defects (such as neural tube defects, Down syndrome, and trisomy 18 syndrome).

Important Facts

Maternal serum multiple marker test is sometimes called triple test, AFP plus, enhanced AFP, AFP3 test or triple screen prenatal risk profile (PRP). More recently, blood is being tested for four markers and the test may be called the quad screen or AFP4, etc.

The test is a simple blood test on the mother’s blood and poses no threat to the mother or to her baby.

This is a voluntary test. If you have any questions about the test, you should discuss them with your physician.

Although the test can detect some common health conditions, a normal result does not guarantee a healthy baby.

An abnormal test does NOT always mean there is a problem with the baby. It simply means that other tests may be suggested.

Abnormal results are usually followed by other diagnostic tests, including high resolution ultrasound or amniocentesis.

The results of this test help to give you and your physician the knowledge to provide the best care and preparation that you need for the birth of your baby.

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in the Contemporary Women’s Care website should be relied upon for medical education purposes only. It is not intended to replace the independent judgment of a health care provider. The appropriateness of a course of treatment for a patient may vary from the medical information provided herein due to individual conditions and/or complications.