Prenatal tests: detection is not diagnosis
Some tests estimate the possibility of a condition; others seek to confirm it. A high-risk result is not a diagnosis in itself. The team must explain what was investigated, the limits, and the next step.
Prenatal tests: detection is not diagnosis
- Detection or screening
- Diagnosis
- What to clarify with the result
- Related articles
- Sources
During pregnancy, blood tests, ultrasounds, and, in certain situations, diagnostic procedures may be offered. They do not all answer the same question.
Detection or screening
Estimates whether a specific condition is more or less likely. A high risk may lead to proposing new studies; a low risk does not eliminate all possibility.
Diagnosis
Seeks to confirm a specific condition. When a procedure is proposed, its usefulness, alternatives, and risks must be explained. The decision includes the gestational mother's consent for her care.
What to clarify with the result
- What condition does this test evaluate?
- Is it a risk calculation or a diagnosis?
- What information is missing for confirmation?
- What options exist now and when should a decision be made?
A genetic test performed on the embryo before transfer does not replace the entire prenatal evaluation. If a finding appears, you can request a clinical explanation and know if specialized counseling is appropriate before deciding.
Related articles
- PGT: what genetic tests of embryos are for
- What ultrasounds show during pregnancy
- The autonomy and privacy of the gestational mother
