Screening method. The difference between conventional ultrasound and screening. Decoding of screening for congenital hypothyroidism

Screening is one of the most accurate and modern research. The doctor may prescribe a screening of the heart, liver, stomach, examination of the mammary glands in women, screening to determine the pathologies of pregnancy. Each procedure must be medically justified.

Recently, all categories of the population have been screened. This procedure is called prophylactic medical examination, and all residents of the country participate in it. General screening allows early detection of many serious diseases. The standard procedure includes:

Screening itself, that is, collecting data about the patient, his health status, chronic diseases, allergies and other features of the body, measuring height and weight. All data are entered into the patient's questionnaire and medical record;
Blood pressure measurement;
Blood sampling from a vein and from a finger for analysis for glucose, cholesterol, and biochemical analysis;
Analysis of feces and urine;
Heart electrocardiogram;
Fluorography;
Cervical smear and breast examination in women.

The list of analyzes may include other studies if there are deviations in the patient's health condition. The screening is summed up by the therapist, who looks at the tests in a complex, and diagnoses the presence or absence of latent diseases and the general condition of the body. As a result of preventive measures, it is possible to detect diseases at the earliest stages, and monitor the health of not only each patient, but also the entire population.

Screening during pregnancy

If the medical examination of the population is a new event, and not every person goes through it on time, then during pregnancy, doctors recommend passing all tests to all expectant mothers without exception. The examination includes a blood test and an ultrasound scan, and often this is enough to accurately determine the gestational age, weight and size of the child, its growth rate and developmental pathologies, if any. The most important is the screening of the first trimester, during which several serious diseases can be identified that are incompatible with the further development of the fetus and pose a threat to the mother's life.

Screening for the 1st trimester includes:

Ultrasound examination of the fetus and uterine cavity;
Blood test of a woman for the level of chorionic gonadotropin and pregnancy-associated protein-A.

The first stage is ultrasound diagnostics. It allows you to trace the development of pregnancy in the early stages, determine an ectopic, frozen or multiple pregnancy, and identify abnormalities in the development of the fetus.

A study is carried out at the 11-13th obstetric week of pregnancy, since at a later or earlier date the test will be less informative.

Ultrasound diagnostics of the uterine cavity of a pregnant woman allows you to determine:

The exact gestational age is up to one day;
Condition of the cervix and uterine cavity;
The location of the fetus in the uterine cavity;
The coccyx-parietal size of the fetus and its total length;
Fetal head circumference and bipariental size, as well as symmetry and level of development of the cerebral hemispheres;
The thickness of the collar space of the child and the size of the nasal bone.

All these data taken together make it possible to make an accurate diagnosis and predict the course of pregnancy. According to the size of the fetus at the first screening, several serious pathologies are determined, such as Down's syndrome, micro-, macro- and anencephaly, Evards syndrome, Patau, and a number of other diseases that are incompatible with life in most cases.

Ultrasound diagnostics is performed both transvaginally and through the abdominal wall. Since the first test method gives a more accurate result, it is more preferable at the first screening in early pregnancy.

It is equally important during the diagnosis to assess the blood flow and the work of the fetal heart. A rapid or slow heartbeat is most often also signs of pathology. It is important to notice poor blood flow in the vessels of the umbilical cord as early as possible, since the baby receives oxygen and nutrients with the mother's blood, and the lack of them adversely affects its growth and development.

The second stage of screening during pregnancy is a detailed biochemical blood test.

You can donate blood only after ultrasound diagnostics, since ultrasound allows you to accurately determine the age of the fetus.

This is important for the correct diagnosis, since the hormone content changes every day, and the wrong date can confuse the doctor. As a result, the tests will be recognized as not conforming to the norm, and the patient will be declared an erroneous diagnosis. During the test, the amount of chorionic gonadotropin and protein-A in the blood is assessed.

Chorionic gonadotropin is a substance that is produced by the fetal membrane.

By its presence in the patient's body, doctors determine the very presence of pregnancy already in its first weeks. The maximum content of chorionic gonadotropin reaches the 13th week, and then the level of the hormone gradually decreases. Depending on whether the level of hCG is increased or lowered, doctors can conclude about the pathologies of the fetus and the upcoming difficulties with bearing the fetus.

The second hormone, the content of which is assessed during the first screening, is protein-A. The development of the placenta and the body's immunity depend on it. In fact, this hormone rebuilds the woman's body, adapting it for bearing a fetus.

Based on the results of all three studies, the MoM index is displayed, which shows the risk of developing pathologies and deviations. When deriving the coefficient, the height, weight and age of the mother, her bad habits, and previous pregnancies are taken into account. All the information collected during the screening gives an accurate picture, according to which the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis. This method has been used for over 30 years, and during this time has established itself as one of the most accurate methods of research.

If the patient is at risk, then she is recommended to undergo screening during the second and third trimester of pregnancy.

But subsequent screenings are not necessary if the woman is healthy, younger than 35 years old, and previously had no problems with carrying a pregnancy and giving birth to children.

Breast examination

Breast screening, or mammography, is one of the most important for women.

It allows you to diagnose benign or malignant breast tumors in the early stages, identify lumps in the chest, dark spots in the images, and start treatment as soon as possible.

Breast examination is not necessarily a medical procedure. The easiest way to diagnose breast diseases is self-palpation. It is recommended to be carried out a week after the end of menstruation, when the tissues of the gland are the most loose, and even small nodules are palpable. Doctors recommend doing this even for young girls, and from the age of twenty, an independent examination of both mammary glands becomes mandatory.

A clinical examination of the breast is carried out in a medical facility. Most often, it is carried out by a gynecologist during routine examinations.

Based on the results of the examination, the doctor can either send the patient for a detailed examination of the mammary glands, or decide that she is healthy.

The third and most accurate screening is mammography. It is performed by a mammologist who makes an accurate diagnosis. In some ways, mammography is similar to fluorography, but the "focus" of the X-ray machine does not cover the entire chest and its internal cavity, but only the patient's chest.

For a mammogram, a woman should undress and snuggle tightly against the device. The exposed mammary glands are tightly pressed on both sides with special plates, and the laboratory assistant takes a picture. Later, the X-ray, which shows homogeneous tissues and areas of increased density, is transferred to a radiologist or mammologist, who gives the patient an accurate diagnosis.

Mammography should be performed regularly, starting from 35-40 years - at least once a year.

For older women, after menopause, mammography is recommended once every two years.

This method of examining the mammary glands has many opponents among doctors and scientists. This is due to the fact that X-rays, even in small doses, can provoke the development of breast cancer. The second argument against the breast examination procedure is the low reliability of screening. Studies have shown that in about 20% of cases mammography is false positive, which leads to nervous disorders in patients, and the need for painful biopsies. Therefore, despite the fact that most doctors recommend regularly undergoing mammography to prevent the risk of developing diseases, more and more patients refuse to undergo breast examination unless absolutely necessary.

Screening examination of the heart

If a person has a congenital or acquired heart defect, chronic diseases, overweight, poor heredity, or routine screening revealed abnormalities in the work of the heart muscle, the doctor may recommend that the patient undergo additional research.

The first and one of the most accurate methods for diagnosing heart disease is electrocardiography. This research has been carried out for more than fifty years, and during this time it has managed to establish itself as one of the most accurate diagnostic methods.

The method is based on fixing the difference in electrical potentials in tense and relaxed muscles, in this case, the heart muscle.

Sensitive sensors, which are installed on the left side of the chest, wrist and abdominal wall of the patient, capture the electric field that occurs during the operation of the organ, and the second part of the device records changes in the electric fields.

This method can detect even the smallest deviations from the norm in the work of the heart.

The second, more accurate method of studying the work of the heart is ultrasound. For diagnostics, the patient takes a horizontal position, a gel is applied to his chest, designed to facilitate the sliding of the sensor on the skin and remove air, and a test is performed. On the monitor, the doctor sees the outlines of an organ in statics and dynamics, can track the presence of pathological changes, thickening or thinning of muscles, an irregular rhythm, which indicates the presence of diseases.

The second screening method is a transesophageal examination of the heart.

This study is less pleasant for the patient, but due to the high accuracy and reliability of the result, it is recommended to carry out screening using this method.

The need to insert the probe into the patient's esophagus is associated with the peculiarities of ultrasound studies. So, the bone for ultrasound is an insurmountable obstacle, and the muscles that create a dense frame on the chest and ribs partially absorb radiation. It must be remembered that ultrasound used for medical purposes has a small propagation radius, and therefore it is recommended to carry out a transesophageal examination of the heart even if the patient suffers from severe obesity.

During the introduction of the probe, the patient lies on his side on the couch, and the doctor applies an anesthetic to the throat and mouth, inserts the probe and examines its internal organs.

When diagnosing the heart through the esophagus, the organ becomes visible in more detail, for example, you can clearly distinguish the aorta, large vessels, myocardial tissues and the heart muscles themselves. In the same way, patients are examined before cardiac surgery or, if necessary, repair of an implanted pacemaker.

An ultrasound examination using the method through the esophagus is recommended for diagnosing diseases of all organs located in the chest cavity, behind the ribs.

These include the stomach, liver, lungs, spleen, and in some cases, even the kidneys are examined this way.

The organs of the abdominal cavity during screening can be examined much easier - ultrasound easily penetrates through the tissues of the anterior abdominal wall into the abdominal cavity.

Timely passage of screenings due to age and state of health will allow each person to maintain good health. It is especially important to detect and diagnose health problems while carrying a baby, since screening during pregnancy can help not only the mother, but also the fetus. Regular examinations in old age, after previous illnesses or operations are equally important. A simple screening procedure, which can be done in a district clinic, can be of great benefit to a person and preserve health.

In order for patients to get sick less, be healthy and live in complete harmony with themselves and the outside world, constant monitoring of their health by a doctor is necessary. In this regard, such boring words as "prevention" and "medical examination" should again become an integral part of the work of a doctor of any specialty.

A person rarely becomes sick overnight. It does not happen that yesterday he was superhealthy, and today he is full of ailments. Something the same happens between these states. The problem is that while there are no specific complaints, patients rarely go to the doctor. And here the intervention of an experienced doctor is a very important aspect in the prevention of a wide variety of diseases.

To identify inconsistencies and deviations from the generally accepted norm in the state of health, it is necessary to revive preventive examinations and medical examination, but at a more modern level.

That's why:

1) in modern medicine, the role of screening diagnostics and preventive measures has increased, helping a person return to a healthy lifestyle in time, recognize the disease in time and eliminate the risk of early complications;
2) in the Western rational world, the CHECK UP system is actively developing - annual examinations by a doctor, with simultaneous diagnostic and laboratory studies in order to identify deviations and negative trends.

Screening tests - what are they?

The modern form of prevention is screening - a mass examination of people. The word itself is translated as "protection", "shielding", "protection from the adverse."

The vast majority of our patients are not familiar with this concept, and some have not even heard of it. But for many, a screening examination of the body could help to avoid serious health problems! And every doctor should remember that a comprehensive medical examination of the body can help "catch" the transition from health to ill health or the beginning of the development of the disease, and then take active and effective measures to treat it and restore the patient's "shattered" health.

The official decoding of the concept of "screening" is a set of measures in the system health care carried out with the aim of early detection and prevention of the development of various diseases in the population.

There are two types of screenings:

A - mass (universal) screening, which involves all persons from a certain category (for example, all children of the same age).

B - selective (selective) screening used in patients from risk groups (for example, screening family members in case of a hereditary disease). Or an in-depth study, if the parents of the patients had a "serious" illness and the patient is at high risk.

We will not consider Option A - these are issues of epidemiological research. Let's dwell on option B.

The benefits of screening tests in these cases:

The ability to quickly navigate in solving medical problems, both in the presence of symptoms and complaints in patients, and in their absence, and then prescribe an adequate intervention;
allows you to purposefully and accurately select specialized medical care and clinical examinations, which are not always easy to perform and not safe;
reduce the time of recovery and medication intake, control doses, compatibility and quality of the drugs used;

Identify the underlying processes and the cause of the symptoms. Often, the main focus of the pathology is hidden and does not "signal", since there are chronic processes and degenerative processes in it.

Who needs screening diagnostics?

Any adult and child living in a large or industrial city should periodically undergo a full medical examination of the body. The ecological situation of such places is in itself a risk factor for various diseases - this is the price of the "success" of our civilization.

The trend towards the "rejuvenation" of very many formidable diseases, which arose during the development of industry and technology, is increasing. Therefore, preventive screening examination should be carried out in all age groups: children, adolescents, adults and the elderly.

More and more often, by conventional standards, young people are diagnosed with oncological diseases, which are the result of not only an unfavorable environmental situation, but also an improper lifestyle, disruption of work and rest, physical inactivity, an unbalanced diet saturated with harmful products.

But not only oncological diseases have become "younger"! Diseases of the cardiovascular system, lungs, liver, thyroid gland, breast and other organs have become "younger".

And we are not talking about diabetes, the risk of which is growing every year.

Screening laboratory tests

Laboratory tests are a very important component in screening measures.

Important! In modern Ukrainian laboratory reality, the ratio of screening tests and tests that are prescribed for already identified diseases and with “late” treatment of patients is 1: 9. That is, only about 10% go to doctors BEFORE serious complaints appear, and not AFTER !!!

Laboratory tests during screening are divided into routine and special.

Routine examinations make it possible not to "miss" the most common abnormalities in the body. These include:

General blood analysis;
general urine analysis;
biochemical blood tests - total protein, liver function tests, creatinine / urea, blood glucose;
analysis of feces for occult blood.

Special screening studies are aimed at finding diseases and conditions, the patient is at risk of developing. Among them, the most common and important are:

Cholesterol and its fractions - to assess the risk of atherosclerosis;
glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) + HOMA index - to assess the development of prediabetes, impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance;
TSH - to exclude the involvement of the thyroid gland in the "masked" symptoms;
HbsAg - to exclude hepatitis B "masks";
cortisol - "stress hormone" - it is especially important to assess the chronic increase in this hormone;
prostate specific antigen (PSA, PSA) in men, since its high serum level gives reason to suspect the presence of prostate cancer;
PAP test and HPV (human papillomavirus) - to exclude the risk of developing cervical cancer.

Important! In the presence of the slightest doubt and existing grounds, it is necessary to prescribe screening laboratory tests in combination with instrumental methods.

Remember that it is better to overdo it than not to miss it !!!

Health diagnostics should be carried out annually, the same opinion is held by World health organization, recommended as a preventive measure to regularly be examined by qualified specialists. In this case, you should not limit yourself to a superficial examination, but find time to conduct a full medical examination. In this case, the chances of detecting a serious disease at its early stage significantly increase, and, as a result, the likelihood of its successful treatment increases.

Our clinic offers you the opportunity to undergo a medical examination in a comfortable environment in 1-2 days.

You will pass:

consultation with the leading family doctor of the clinic
instrumental and laboratory diagnostics
functional check

You'll get:

detailed opinion on the state of health
treatment recommendations
recommendations for necessary additional examinations

General diagnostic programs (check-up) for adults

Special diagnostic programs (check-up) for adults

General diagnostic program (check-up) for children

What is screening?

Perhaps, after reading the title, many will ask themselves the question: "What is screening?"

In fact, the vast majority of people have no idea about it, and some have not even heard the word! Meanwhile, many of these people screening examination of the body could help avoid serious health problems! After all, it has long been known that the earlier it was possible to detect a problem, the greater the chances of its successful elimination. It follows from this that a periodically conducted full examination of the body of people at risk for a particular disease can help "catch" the beginning of the development of pathology and take active and effective measures to cure it. At the same time, the price of a complete diagnosis of the human body in our clinic in Moscow is immeasurably lower than the cost of treating advanced diseases, both in monetary and moral terms!

It is widely believed that Screening means "Screening, selection". In HR management, this may be true. But this word has another translation: "Protection", "Shielding someone from something unfavorable." It is this meaning that underlies the term "screening studies".

Complete / complex examination of the body

Generally speaking, from time to time pass complete (complex) medical examination is worth any adult living in Moscow or in another large or industrial city, since, as a rule, the ecological situation in such places in itself is a risk factor for various diseases. This is the price people pay for the opportunity to be closer to “civilization”.

One should not think that it is exclusively about the elderly. Unfortunately, the tendency to "rejuvenate" very many formidable diseases, which arose during the development of industry and technology, is not weakening, but, on the contrary, is intensifying. More and more often, young people by generally accepted standards are found to have oncological diseases, which are the result of not only an unfavorable environmental situation, but also an improper lifestyle, disruption of work and rest, physical inactivity, an unbalanced diet saturated with harmful products, and the like. But not only oncological diseases have become "younger"! Diseases of the cardiovascular system, lungs, liver and other organs have become "younger".

None of us can be completely sure that these formidable diseases have not yet taken root in our bodies, which is why a periodic comprehensive medical examination of all organs and systems of the body is a necessity, not a luxury (by the way, the price of screening tests in Moscow is relatively low , as you can see by looking at the table below) for any person from the age of 30 - 35!

What screening programs does GMS Clinic offer?

It is clear that the problems encountered by people of different sexes and different age groups are of a different nature. In order to most effectively identify these problems and, at the same time, optimize the cost of this process for our patients, the specialists of GMS Clinic have developed several programs, each of which is designed and recommended for people of a certain gender and age.

It is worth noting that, despite some differences in volume associated with the specific characteristics of people in the group for which this or that screening program is intended, they all assume to undergo a full examination of the body, including computer diagnostics, all the necessary analyzes and studies. , allowing to draw correct conclusions about the state of the human body as a whole and about the work of its individual systems.

That is, we can say that the periodic passage of people through a full examination of the body with the performance of studies and analyzes necessary for their age and gender, allows you to minimize the risk that a person will suddenly find himself in front of the fact that he has a serious illness in an advanced stage.

Why at GMS Clinic?

Screening examination in the modern sense of this term is a complex and high-tech process that includes many laboratory tests, computer diagnostics of the body, the latest medical equipment is involved in this process.

But, of course, it is not only advances in medical technology that make screening effective. The main condition is the highest qualifications and practical experience of doctors and specialists! After all, computer diagnostics of the body is insufficient, its results will not say anything to a layperson. For their correct interpretation, the doctor often must have not only a solid baggage of theoretical knowledge, but also the intuition that comes with experience. Only then, with the help of a screening study, it is possible to identify the disease at the earliest stage, when there are no obvious symptoms yet, there are only its first precursors.

We, at GMS Clinic, employ professionals of the highest standard, many of them have experience in clinics in Europe and the United States. Their professionalism and experience are harmoniously complemented by the most modern diagnostic and laboratory equipment, excellent conditions created in our clinic. All this makes screening in our clinic extremely effective! It will not be an exaggeration to say that GMS Clinic is on a par with the best European and world clinics! By contacting us, choosing one of our screening programs, you are not just spending money - you are investing in your health and prosperity!

You can find out more about our medical examination programs from the table above, and if you have any questions, please contact us by phone +7 495 781 5577, +7 800 302 5577 ... The address and directions to our clinic can be found in the Contact Information section.

Why GMS Clinic?

GMS Clinic is a multidisciplinary medical and diagnostic center that provides a wide range of medical services and the ability to solve most health problems using Western-level medicine without leaving Moscow.

Lack of queues
Own parking
Individual approach
to each patient
Western and Russian standards of evidence-based medicine

SCREENING- In 1951, the US Commission on Chronic Diseases gave the following definition of screening: "Presumptive identification of an unrecognized disease or defect through tests, examinations, or other easily used procedures."
Screening tests make it possible to isolate from the environment of apparently healthy people those who are likely to have the disease and those who probably do not. The screening test is not intended to be diagnostic. Individuals with positive or suspicious results should be referred to their physicians for diagnosis and appropriate treatment. ” Screening usually comes from the investigator, person or organization providing care, and not from the patient with the complaint. Screening usually focuses on chronic illnesses and on identifying illnesses for which medical attention is not yet available. Screening detects risk factors, genetic predispositions, and precursors or early manifestations of the disease. There are different types of medical screening, each with its own focus.

Screening types

Mass screening(Mass S.) simply means screening the entire population.
Complex or multidimensional screening(Multiple or multiphasic S.) implies the use of different screening tests at the same time.
Preventive screening(Prescriptive S.) is aimed at early detection of diseases in apparently healthy people, the control over which can be more successful if they are detected at an early stage. Example: mammography to detect breast cancer. The characteristics of a screening test include accuracy, predicted number of detected cases, accuracy, reproducibility, sensitivity, specificity, and reliability. (See also: detectable preclinical period, measurements.)
Selective screening- carried out in the absence of symptoms, but in the presence of one or more risk factors for the development of the desired disease, for example, indications of diseases of the next of kin, lifestyle characteristics or belonging of the subject to a population with a high prevalence of the corresponding disease
Genetic screening(GENETIC SCREENING) - the use of molecular biology techniques to identify mutations that are present in humans and increase the risk of developing a disease, for example, the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which significantly increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in women. Ethical issues can arise with genetic screening, for example, when notifying people that they are at increased risk for a disease for which there is no effective treatment. Problems can also arise if the diagnostic result can lead to problems with employment and insurance.
Systematic (non-sampled) screening- is carried out for all individuals in a certain population, for example, ultrasound screening for chromosomal pathology, which is carried out in the first trimester of pregnancy. The population for this screening is all pregnant women without exception.
Selective screening- is carried out among people exposed to certain risk factors that can cause a particular disease. An example of such screening is a study of medical workers for the incidence of hepatitis B and C, HIV, syphilis, because representatives of these professions come into contact with the biological fluids of potentially sick people and, accordingly, have an increased risk of contracting these infectious diseases.

Screening terms and concepts

Screening rate(SCREENING LEVEL) - the "normal" limit or split point beyond which the screening test is considered positive.
Sensitivity and specificity
The predictive value of the diagnostic test
Likelihood ratio
False positive results
False negative results

Screening criteria

Below are the screening criteria proposed by the UK NATIONAL SCREENING COMMITTEE
The disease or condition being screened

The disease or condition being screened has a serious impact on the patient's health;
The etiology and pathogenesis of the disease should be carefully studied, the risk factors for the development of the disease and its signs that can be detected in the latent or early stage of its development should be known;
All effective measures should be taken to prevent the development of the disease;
Consideration should be given to the possible ethical and psychological implications of screening for individuals who carry the gene mutation when screening for recessive gene diseases.

Screening test

Should be simple in execution, safe for the patient's health, accurate and reliable;
The normal distribution of the test values in the target population should be known and an acceptable cut-off level should be established for the test values at which the screening result is considered positive;
the test must be acceptable to the target population;
Screening for gene diseases should only be performed for those diseases for which all possible gene mutations that cause the disease can be diagnosed. If it is impossible to diagnose all gene mutations, screening of this gene disease should not be carried out.

Treatment

When a disease is diagnosed at an early stage, there must be effective treatment.
Effectiveness in terms of disease outcomes when diagnosed and treated early should be proven in clinical trials.
Before the introduction of a screening program into clinical practice, a clear organization of the actions of all health care institutions involved in screening and treating this disease is required.

Screening program
The developed screening program must meet a number of requirements:

The effectiveness of the screening program should be confirmed in the framework of the conducted RCTs. Main criteria: reduction of morbidity and mortality from the screened disease.
Evidence of the accuracy of the screening study to identify the disease under study.
The proposed screening tests must be clinically acceptable and ethical
The benefits of screening should outweigh the potential physical and psychological harm a patient may experience as a result of participating in a screening program.
Economic feasibility: the cost of screening should not exceed the cost of diagnosing and treating the disease, if it is detected at a later date.
Continuous quality control of the current program
Before implementing a screening program, it should be ensured that the equipment and specialists are sufficient to implement it.
Patients should be informed about the possible screening results. The information should be delivered in a language that the patient can understand.
Screening for genetic diseases with a recessive mode of inheritance should be acceptable for carriers of the recessive gene and its relatives.

When a woman is expecting a baby, she has to undergo multiple tests and undergo scheduled examinations. Each expectant mother can be given different recommendations. The screening test is the same for everyone. It is about him that will be discussed in this article.

Screening test

This analysis is assigned to all expectant mothers, regardless of age and social status. The screening test is performed three times during the entire pregnancy. In this case, it is necessary to observe certain deadlines for the delivery of tests.

Medicine knows screening research methods, which are divided into two types. The first of these is the analysis It determines the possibility of various pathologies in the fetus. The second test is an ultrasound screening study. The evaluation should take into account the results of both methods.

What diseases does the analysis reveal?

Screening tests during pregnancy are not an accurate way of making a diagnosis. This analysis can only reveal the predisposition and establish the percentage of risk. To obtain a more detailed result, it is necessary to conduct a screening study of the fetus. It is prescribed only when the risks of possible pathology are very high. So, this analysis can reveal the possibility of the following diseases:

During the examination, the doctor measures the growth of the fetus, notes the peculiarities of the location of the placenta. Also, the doctor must make sure that the child has all the limbs. One of the important points is the presence of a nasal bone, and it is on these points that the doctor will subsequently rely upon decoding the result.

Second examination

Screening research during pregnancy in this case is also carried out in two ways. First, a woman needs to take a blood test from a vein and only then undergo an ultrasound scan. It is worth noting that the deadlines for this diagnosis are somewhat different.

Blood test for second screening

In some regions of the country, this study is not carried out at all. The only exceptions are those women for whom the first analysis gave disappointing results. In this case, the most favorable time for donating blood is in the range from 16 to 18 weeks of fetal development.

The test is carried out in the same way as in the first case. The data is processed by the computer and produces the result.

Ultrasound examination

This examination is recommended for a period of 20 to 22 weeks. It is worth noting that, unlike a blood test, this study is carried out in all medical institutions in the country. At this stage, the height, weight of the fetus is measured. Also, the doctor examines the organs: heart, brain, stomach of the future baby. The specialist counts the fingers and toes of the baby. It is also very important to note the condition of the placenta and cervix. In addition, Doppler sonography can be done. During this examination, the doctor monitors the blood flow and notes possible defects.

During the second ultrasound screening, it is necessary to examine the waters. Their number should be normal for a given period. Inside the fetal membranes there should be no suspensions and impurities.

Third survey

This type of diagnosis is carried out after the most suitable period is 32-34 weeks. It is worth noting that at this stage the blood is no longer examined for defects, but only ultrasound diagnostics are performed.

During the manipulation, the doctor carefully examines the organs of the unborn baby and notes their features. The height and weight of the baby is also measured. An important point is normal physical activity during the study. The specialist notes the amount of amniotic fluid and its purity. Be sure to indicate the state, location and maturity of the placenta in the protocol.

This ultrasound in most cases is the last. Only in some cases, a second diagnosis is prescribed before childbirth. That is why it is so important to note the position of the fetus (head or pelvic) and the absence of an umbilical cord entanglement.

Deviations from the norms

If during the examination various deviations and errors were identified, the doctor recommends that a geneticist should appear. At the reception, a specialist must take into account all the data (ultrasound, blood and pregnancy features) when making a specific diagnosis.

In most cases, the possible risks are not a guarantee that the child will be born sick. Often such studies are flawed, but despite this, doctors may recommend additional studies.

A more detailed analysis is a screening study of the microflora of the amniotic fluid or blood from the umbilical cord. It should be noted that this analysis entails negative consequences. Quite often, after such a study, each woman has the right to refuse such a diagnosis, but in this case, all responsibility falls on her shoulders. If bad results are confirmed, doctors suggest an artificial termination of pregnancy and give the woman time to make a decision.

Conclusion

A screening test during pregnancy is a very important test. However, we must not forget that it is not always accurate.

After birth, the child will undergo neonatal screening, which will absolutely correctly show the presence or absence of any disease.