Test & specimen information

Maternal serum screening

Overview

Maternal Serum Screening (MSS) is a blood test offered to pregnant women who want to find out if they may be at increased risk of having a baby with Down syndrome, trisomy 18 or neural tube defects (such as spina bifida). There are two serum screening options available to Victorian women during pregnancy;

Combined first trimester screening (CFTS) and
Second trimester screening (2TMSS).

Combined first trimester screening can also provide useful information for the management of a pregnancy, such as the risk of developing early-onset pre-eclampsia (EO-PE).

Test type

Biochemistry

Turnaround time

5 working days from receipt of the ultrasound result.

Cost

Combined first trimester screening = $135 (Invoice from VCGS. Once paid, patient can claim $30-40 back from Medicare).
Combined first trimester screening + early onset pre-eclampsia = $154 (Invoice from VCGS. Once paid, patient can claim $30-40 back from Medicare).