Common Tests Performed Prenatally*
| Name of Test | Type of Test | What It Reveals |
|---|
| Alpha fetoprotein | Blood | Increased risk for fetus of Down syndrome or neural tube defects, such as meningomyelocoele | | Amniocentesis | Invasive | Genetic diseases such as Down syndrome | | Beta strep culture | Vaginal swab | Colonization of the vagina with group B beta streptococci, a source of neonatal sepsis | | Blood type | Blood | ABO blood type; Rh antigen | | Chlamydia | Cervical swab | Infection with Chlamydia trachomatis | | Glucose tolerance testing | Blood | Gestational diabetes mellitus | | GC/Gonorrhea | Cervical swab | Infection with Neisseria gonorrheae | | Hemoglobin | Blood | Anemia (maternal) | | Hepatitis B antigen and /or antibody | Blood | Presence of chronic or active hepatitis | | Human immunodeficiency virus antibody test | Blood | HIV/AIDS infection | | Papanicolaou test | Cervical sample | Cancer of the uterine cervix | | Rubella antigen | Blood | Immunity to German measles | | Triple or quad marker screen | Blood | Birth defects such as Down syndrome or spina bifida | | Ultrasonography | Radiological, noninvasive | Age of the fetus; multiple pregnancies; developmental abnormalities; quantity of amniotic fluid | | Urinalysis | Urine | Urinary tract infection; chronic kidney disease; proteinuria, e.g., in preeclampsia | | Varicella-zoster antibody | Blood | Immunity to chickenpox | | VDRL, RPR, FTA-ABS, others | Blood | Infection with syphilis |
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*Not all these tests are performed on all expectant mothers.