Antenatal Screening Tests

During your pregnancy, several screening tests will be offered to help monitor your health and your baby’s wellbeing. These tests help detect potential conditions early so that appropriate care and treatment can be provided.

Universal Screening Tests
These are routine tests recommended for ALL pregnant women, as they play an important role in identifying conditions that may affect your pregnancy and baby.

Other Screening Tests
These are optional tests, recommended based on individual risk factors, personal preference, or on your doctor’s advice.

Maternal Cytomegalovirus (CMV) screening
CMV is a common virus that usually causes no symptoms, but if CMV infection happens during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, it may be transmitted to the baby and may cause congenital CMV infection, where the brain, hearing and vision of the baby may be affected.

The virus is transmitted from an infected person via direct contact with saliva, urine, semen, vaginal fluids, blood, tears, faeces or breast milk. You may be able to reduce your risk of getting CMV by reducing your contact with the saliva and urine of infants and young children.

Screening is offered in the first trimester (11-14 weeks), especially for women with young children and with no prior immunity. Blood tests will be performed to check for CMV antibody and immunity. You will be referred to the Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit for further management (amniocentesis to test for CMV viral particles in the amniotic fluid and starting of anti-viral medication) if you are screened positive for CMV infection.

Please refer to the leaflet “First Trimester Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection Screening” for more information.

Down Syndrome Screening
Down Syndrome (DS) and some other chromosomal conditions and birth defects can be detected through the First Trimester Screening (FTS), Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) and Quad Screen (QS) tests. These tests are done at different stages in your pregnancy and have different detection rates for DS.

Although the risk of having a baby with DS increases with a woman’s age, all pregnancies, regardless of maternal age, are at risk for DS. If you choose to have DS screening, you will be referred to our counsellor, who will explain the tests in detail and help arrange the appointments for you.

Pre-Eclampsia Screening
Pre-eclampsia is a complication that usually develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It is characterised by high blood pressure, leakage of protein in the urine and/or other signs of organ damage. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications for both mother and baby.

Aspirin has been shown to reduce the risk of preterm pre-eclampsia by about 60%. Women with one high-risk factor or two moderate-risk factors (as below) will be advisedto take low-dose aspirin.

Pre-eclampsia screening is a test offered to women with no known risk factors for preeclampsia, to calculate their risks of developing pre-eclampsia. This test includes blood tests and an ultrasound scan. Women identified to be at high risk will be advised to start low-dose aspirin from 11-14 weeks to 36 weeks.

Please refer to the leaflet “Pre-eclampsia (PE) Screening Service” for more information.

Need help deciding?
Not all screening tests are compulsory. Please speak with your doctor to discuss which tests are suitable for you, based on your medical history, lifestyle, and personal preference. Your care team is here to support you in making the best choices for you and your baby.

The information above is also available for download in pdf format.