CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

What's a Multiple Marker Screening?

Aka a triple or quad screen, find out what this test screens for and when it's performed.
save article
profile picture of Paula Kashtan
Updated April 17, 2017
Hero Image

The multiple marker screening (or triple screen or quad screen) is a simple blood test done between 15 and 20 weeks to detect the level of different substances in your blood: estriol, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and, if you’re having a quad screen, inhibin-A.

Estriol is a hormone manufactured in combination by you, your placenta, and baby, while hCG and inhibin-A are hormones made solely by the placenta. AFP is a substance made by baby, and passes in a small amount from the placenta to your blood. Together, levels of these substances show baby’s risk (or lack of) certain birth defects. (The only difference between the triple and quad screen is that the quad screen is more likely to identify whether a pregnancy is at risk for Down syndrome, and is less likely to give a false positive.) Abnormal results don’t necessarily mean there’s a problem, though—it’s simply a signal that further testing (probably CVS or amniocentesis) is a good idea.

Make sure not to procrastinate: This test can only be accurately performed between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, and all it requires is a blood drawing. The triple screen can also detect whether your pregnancy is further along than previously thought. And, if you’re beginning to suspect you might be eating for more than just two, this test will be able to tell you just how many babies you’re growing inside.

American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists. Your Pregnancy and Birth. 4th ed. Washington, DC: ACOG; 2005.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

pregnant woman undergoing nonstress test
Why Your Doctor Might Recommend a Nonstress Test Later in Pregnancy
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
doctor measuring pregnant woman's fundal height
Fundal Height: Why Is My Doctor Measuring My Belly?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
doctor speaking with female patient medical office
Your Comprehensive Guide to Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
pregnant woman lying on exam table getting an ultrasound
Your Complete Guide to Pregnancy Ultrasounds
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pregnant woman holding photo of ultrasound
What Is the Nuchal Translucency Ultrasound?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pregnant woman getting an ultrasound
Why You Might Need a Biophysical Profile in Pregnancy
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
gynecologist checking pregnant woman's cervix in exam room
Is a Cervix Check Always Necessary in Late Pregnancy?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
Your Complete Guide to Prenatal Testing
Your Complete Guide to Prenatal Testing
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
overhead view of woman getting first trimester ultrasound
Everything You Need to Know About the First Trimester Screening
By Dani Wolfe
Understanding the Glucose Screening and Glucose Tolerance Test
Understanding the Glucose Screening and Glucose Tolerance Test
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
fetal doppler heart rate of in utero baby
Are At-Home Fetal Dopplers Safe?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
black and white image of a family ancestry tree
Your Guide to Genetic Testing During Pregnancy
By Ashley Zielger
lab technician holding vial of blood for blood testing
FDA Report Warns Against False Positives in Some Prenatal Genetic Tests
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
Same sex pregnant couple at home with their daughter on the couch.
What Is Amniocentesis?
By Rachel Morris
Pregnant woman and her partner happily looking at their sonogram.
Sonogram vs. Ultrasound: What’s the Difference?
By Christin Perry
medical doctor speaking with patient
3D Ultrasound: Why It’s Used and What You Can Expect to See
By Korin Miller
Q&A: Why CVS/amnio?
Q&A: Why CVS/amnio?
By Paula Kashtan
ADVERTISEMENT
pregnant woman in kitchen by window looking at her phone
Rh Incompatibility: What to Know if You’re Rh Negative and Pregnant
By Lexi Dwyer
happy couple looking at positive pregnancy test
11 Moms-to-Be Share What They Did With Their Positive Pregnancy Tests
By Ashlee Neuman
pregnant woman looking at sonogram
There May Be a New Noninvasive Way to Diagnose Fetal Genetic Disorders
By Ashley Edwards Walker
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List