CFTS, or Combined First Trimester Screening, is a common and widely used screening test in pregnancy that estimates the risk of certain chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus.
Understanding CFTS in Pregnancy
Combined First Trimester Screening (CFTS) is a non-invasive prenatal screening test offered during the first trimester of pregnancy. It's designed to provide an estimate of the likelihood that a baby may have specific genetic conditions.
Components of CFTS
CFTS combines two distinct assessments to calculate a risk estimate:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Maternal Blood Test | Analyzes specific hormone levels and proteins in the mother's blood. |
| Nuchal Translucency (NT) Ultrasound | Measures the clear fluid space at the back of the baby's neck during an ultrasound scan. |
These two measurements, along with other factors like maternal age, are integrated to provide a personalized risk assessment.
Conditions Screened by CFTS
CFTS primarily screens for the risk of three specific chromosomal abnormalities:
- Down syndrome (Trisomy 21): A genetic condition typically caused by the presence of an extra 21st chromosome.
- Trisomy 13 (Patau Syndrome): A severe genetic disorder caused by an extra 13th chromosome.
- Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome): Another serious genetic condition resulting from an extra 18th chromosome.
It's crucial to understand that CFTS is a screening test, not a diagnostic one. This means it provides a risk estimate (e.g., 1 in 500 chance) rather than a definitive diagnosis. If the screening test indicates a higher risk, further diagnostic tests, such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis, may be offered to confirm or rule out the presence of these conditions.
