Maternal Serum Screening, Serum (Antenatal Screening for Downs)

Diagnostic Use

The antenatal screen for Downs syndrome and other conditions gives an estimate of the "chance" that the fetus has a neural tube defect (after 15 weeks only) or chromosome abnormality. If the screen shows an increased chance, it is recommended that the woman is offered specialist referral.

Department

Maternal Screening

Delphic Registration Code

MSS1 or MSS2

Laboratory Handling

Registration

Reg as either MSS1 or MSS2 as requested on the request form, please make sure the scanned image is legible and full A4 size.

Separating

Separate within 4 hours and freeze aliquot (2 mL Serum), Aliquot to MSS bin in the freezer

Laboratory

unseperated or frozen gel tubes will be rejected

Synonyms

Antenatal Screening for Downs
Downs Screening
Maternal Downs Screening
MSS 1
MSS 2

Turnaround Time

3 days

Test Code

3886

Specimen Type

• Serum

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Serum (Red Cap)

Preferred if West Coast

• SST II (Gold Cap)

Acceptable

• SST II (Gold Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

10

No of Samples Required

1

Additional Specimen Information

Pre-Testing Requirements Counselling required by primary health giver.

Trimester 1 (MSS1) bloods can be taken between 9 weeks and 13 weeks 6 days , a sonographic scan is required as part of the chance prediction and is performed between 11 weeks and 13 weeks 6 days.

Trimester 2 (MSS2) bloods can be taken between 14 and 20 weeks.

Separated serum is stable for 6 days at 2-8 oC

SST tubes must be spun and aliquoted before being sent to CHL.

Please use the "antenatal screening for Down syndrome and other conditions" form.

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Serum

Minimum Volume (ml)

2

Transport to Lab

Frozen
If overnight - Frozen

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Separate within 4 hours and freeze aliquot (2 mL Serum)

Contact Canterbury Health Laboratories on +64 3 364 0484 or email LabInfo@cdhb.health.nz

Additional Costing Information

Contact laboratory on 3640122 for additional information or results.

Either a trimester 1 or a trimester 2 screen is free for a New Zealand resident, this is funded by the Ministry of Health National Screening Unit. Non-residents are not funded, the price is $95 for a 1st trimester test and $190 for a 2nd trimester test, these costs are exclusive of blood collection fee, GST and Radiographers fee for the scan. Please indicate Non-residents on the requesting form.

Integrated (combined trimester 1 & 2 ) testing is available but is not recommended or funded by the Ministry of Health National Screening Unit. The cost for integrated testing is $182, this cost is exclusive of blood collection fee & GST.

Please use the antenatal screening for Down syndrome and other conditions forms (found in Additional Information - Resources below) or Email labinfo@cdhb.govt.nz for further supplies.
Requests are to be hand written onto the antenatal screening for Down syndrome and other conditions form.

Resources

• Antenatal screening for Down syndrome and other conditions form

Contact Information

Enquiry Form