During the quad marker screen, a sample of blood is taken from your vein.

Substances in the blood

sample are measured to screen for:

Problems in the development of the fetus's brain and spinal cord, called open neural tube defects; the
quad marker screen can predict approximately 75%-80% of open neural tube defects.

Genetic disorders such as Down syndrome, a chromosomal abnormality; the quad marker screen can
predict approximately 75% of Down syndrome cases in women under age 35 and over 80% of Down
syndrome cases in women age 35 years and older.