The Ante-natal Profile Blood Test is a comprehensive series of blood tests performed during pregnancy to assess the health of both the mother and the developing baby. These tests help screen for potential complications, infections, nutritional deficiencies, and genetic conditions that may affect pregnancy outcomes. They are typically conducted during the first prenatal visit and may be repeated throughout the pregnancy depending on the individual’s medical needs.

Common Tests Included in an Ante-natal Profile Blood Test:

1. Full Blood Count (FBC) / Complete Blood Count (CBC)

  • Purpose: Evaluates overall blood health, focusing on red and white blood cells and platelets.
  • What It Measures:
    • Haemoglobin (Hb): Assesses for anaemia, which is common in pregnancy.
    • White Blood Cell Count (WBC): Monitors immune function and checks for infection.
    • Platelet Count: Checks for clotting disorders.
  • Why It’s Important: Anaemia during pregnancy can lead to fatigue, weakness, and complications during labour. Regular monitoring of the blood count ensures early detection and management.

2. Blood Group and Rh Factor

  • Purpose: Determines the mother’s blood type (A, B, AB, or O) and whether she is Rh-positive or Rh-negative.
  • Why It’s Important: If a mother is Rh-negative and the baby is Rh-positive, the mother’s immune system may produce antibodies against the baby’s red blood cells (a condition called Rh incompatibility). This can cause serious complications in subsequent pregnancies unless treated with Rh immunoglobulin (Rhogam).

3. Antibody Screening in the Ante-natal Profile Blood Test

  • Purpose: Screens for the presence of antibodies that could harm the baby, such as those related to Rh incompatibility or other blood group antibodies.
  • Why It’s Important: Antibodies that attack the baby’s red blood cells can cause haemolytic disease of the new born, leading to anaemia or jaundice.

4. Rubella Immunity (German Measles)

  • Purpose: Determines if the mother is immune to rubella by checking for antibodies.
  • Why It’s Important: Rubella infection during pregnancy can cause severe birth defects (congenital rubella syndrome). If the mother is not immune, vaccination is recommended after pregnancy to protect future pregnancies.

5. Hepatitis B and C Screening

  • Purpose: Tests for hepatitis B and C infections.
  • Why It’s Important: Hepatitis B and C can be passed from mother to baby during childbirth. If the mother is positive, precautions can be taken to reduce the risk of transmission, such as administering the hepatitis B vaccine to the new born at birth.

6. HIV 1 & 2 Abs in the Ante-natal Profile Blood Test

  • Purpose: Screens for HIV infection.
  • Why It’s Important: Early detection of HIV allows for interventions that significantly reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission, including antiretroviral therapy (ART) and delivery planning.

7. Syphilis Screening (Igg/IgM)

  • Purpose: Tests for syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
  • Why It’s Important: Untreated syphilis during pregnancy can cause serious complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth, and congenital syphilis (a condition affecting the baby’s development). Early detection and treatment with antibiotics prevent transmission to the baby.

8. Blood Glucose Test

  • Purpose: Screens for gestational diabetes by measuring blood sugar levels.
  • Why It’s Important: Gestational diabetes can lead to complications such as excessive birth weight, preterm delivery, and increased risk of type 2 diabetes for both mother and baby. A glucose challenge test or glucose tolerance test is often performed between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.

9. Thyroid Function Tests (TSH, Free T4)

  • Purpose: Measures levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free T4.
  • Why It’s Important: Thyroid disorders (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism) during pregnancy can affect the baby’s growth and development, particularly brain development. These tests help ensure the mother’s thyroid function is within a normal range.

10. Toxoplasmosis Screening in the Ante-natal Profile Blood Test

  • Purpose: Tests for antibodies against the Toxoplasma gondii parasite.
  • Why It’s Important: Toxoplasmosis infection during pregnancy can cause birth defects or miscarriage. This test is often recommended if the mother has been exposed to cat faeces, undercooked meat, or contaminated soil.

11. Varicella (Chickenpox) Immunity

  • Purpose: Tests for antibodies to the varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox).
  • Why It’s Important: If a mother contracts chickenpox during pregnancy, it can lead to complications for both her and the baby, including birth defects. Women without immunity may be advised to avoid exposure to chickenpox or to receive vaccination postpartum.

12. Haemoglobin electrophoresis

Importance of the Ante-natal Profile Blood Test:

The ante-natal blood test profile helps ensure both maternal and foetal well-being throughout pregnancy. It helps:

  • Detect maternal infections and conditions that could affect the baby.
  • Monitor for anaemia, diabetes, and thyroid dysfunction, which can influence pregnancy outcomes.
  • Prevent and manage complications like Rh incompatibility, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia.
  • Identify genetic and chromosomal conditions early in the pregnancy.

Regular monitoring and early detection are crucial in providing timely interventions to ensure a healthy pregnancy and reduce the risk of complications for both the mother and the baby.

Results – 3 days from Laboratory receiving sample