Does the double test require fasting before the blood draw?

The article is professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Huynh Thi Hien - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital

Double test is a screening test for genetic diseases for the fetus based on a blood sample of the mother at the beginning of pregnancy. Performing the Double test whether fasting is required is currently a concern of many pregnant women.

Double test test is one of the routine prenatal screening measures, based on biochemical tests such as quantification of free β-hCG and PAPP-A levels in pregnant women's blood, combined with nuchal translucency measurement. by ultrasound, maternal age, gestational age... to evaluate some risks of congenital genetic syndromes such as Down, Edward or Patau.
Prenatal screening is extremely important, especially for those at high risk for genetic disorders such as:
Maternal age at pregnancy 35 years or older Family history have genetic disorders, birth defects During pregnancy, if the mother is infected with a virus or infectious disease, or takes medicine to treat the disease,... The pregnant woman has had a miscarriage, stillbirth. pregnant or have a child with a genetic disease in previous pregnancies Those who have been or are exposed to toxic chemicals, radiation,...

The double test is usually done between 11 and 13 weeks of pregnancy to help assess the risk of the fetus having common birth defects syndromes. If the test results show that the fetus is at high risk for congenital malformations, the doctor may advise the pregnant woman to perform some necessary diagnostic tests before making a conclusion.

The Double test prenatal screening test uses a blood sample from the mother's arm vein for testing. Unlike other biochemical tests or blood sugar tests, when performing the Double test, pregnant women do not need to fast, nor do you need any other special conditions.
This is because, free β-hCG (FBC) is a structural component of hCG, and PAPP-A (PAA) is a glycoprotein secreted by the placenta. The two biochemicals that need to be quantified in the screening test taken from a pregnant woman's blood sample in this Double test are natural biochemical indicators of blood, independent of food intake.
Therefore, pregnant women can have breakfast and perform the test on a normal day, then based on the ultrasound results, determine the exact gestational age to test for the most accurate results.
Prenatal screening helps to detect genetic disorders and birth defects early, which has great significance to the happiness of each family as well as the whole society. Therefore, parents should perform regular checkups and complete genetic screening so that the baby is born healthy.
Vinmec International General Hospital system now has a comprehensive Maternity Care program including Double Test and other prenatal screening methods with accurate, fast and safe results for both mother and child. little.