Alfigen/The Genetics Institute Offers Quadruple Marker Prenatal Screening Test; New Test Has a Higher Detection Rate Than Alternative Screening Tests.Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers BIOWIRE2K PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 10, 2002 Today Alfigen, Inc. announced that it will begin offering the Quadruple Marker Prenatal Screening Test to physicians and other laboratories across the nation. The Quadruple Marker Prenatal Screening Test represents an improvement in prenatal screening for Down syndrome over the triple marker that has been used since 1988. By adding a fourth marker to the prenatal screening test, the detection rate for an elevated risk of Down syndrome can be increased from 60% to 75%. Quadruple Marker Prenatal Screening is a blood screening test done in the second trimester of pregnancy (between 15 and 20 weeks) to help detect an increased risk for Down Syndrome, trisomy trisomy /tri·so·my/ (tri´so-me) the presence of an additional (third) chromosome of one type in an otherwise diploid cell (2n + 1). See also entries under syndrome. triso´mic tri·so·my n. 18, and neural tube defects Neural tube defects A group of birth defects that affect the backbone and sometimes the spinal chord. Mentioned in: Birth Defects or abdominal wall defects Abdominal Wall Defects Definition Abdominal wall defects are birth (congenital) defects that allow the stomach or intestines to protrude. Description . Occasionally, the test may also detect a risk for other chromosome abnormalities. This test measures the concentrations of four biochemical substances produced by the fetus and placenta, AFP (alpha-fetoprotein), hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG): see gonadotropic hormone. ), uE3 (unconjugated estriol estriol /es·tri·ol/ (es´tre-ol) a relatively weak human estrogen (q.v.), being a metabolic product of estradiol and estrone found in high concentrations in urine, especially during pregnancy. ), and dimeric Inhibin in·hib·in n. A peptide hormone secreted by the follicular cells of the ovary and the Sertoli cells of the testis that inhibits secretion of follicle stimulating hormone from the anterior pituitary. A. The test values, together with maternal age, are then entered into a mathematical formula to determine the risk for the various abnormalities. Alfigen, Inc. has been a leader in the introduction of prenatal screening with the introduction of Second Trimester Maternal Screening to California in 1992 and First Trimester Screening in 2000. Alfigen, Inc. is one of only a few laboratories nationwide performing First Trimester Screening which combines two biochemical assays (free Beta-hCG, and PAPP-A) with the ultrasound measurement of the Nuchal Translucency (NT) of the fetus. Alfigen/The Genetics Institute was founded in 1981 by Omar S. Alfi, M.D. as the first private full service cytogenetics laboratory in the country. It has since grown tremendously both in specimen volume and scope of services to become one of the largest independent genetics laboratories serving the medical community nationally and internationally. The state-of-the-art laboratory offers a full range of highly complex genetic tests, including cytogenetics (prenatal, postnatal, cancer), fluorescence in situ hybridization Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) A technique for diagnosing DiGeorge syndrome before birth by analyzing cells obtained by amniocentesis with DNA probes. FISH is about 95% accurate. (FISH), molecular diagnostics, clinical chemistry, and flow cytometry. The mission -- to provide the highest quality and standards in clinical genetic services with efficient turn around time, cost-effective pricing, and personalized service -- is reflected in all aspects of the company's work. Alfigen's success is based on its commitment to quality and dedication to building long-term relationships with its clients. Alfigen is accredited by CAP and certified by CMS under CLIA CLIA Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 Congressional legislation that promulgated quality assurance practices in clinical labs, and required them to measure performance at each step of the testing process from the beginning to the end-point of a . Alfigen is licensed in California, Florida, Maryland and New York. Alfigen is also certified by the State of California Department of Health Services Department of Health Services may refer to:
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