Quad Screen Results: Understanding Your Baby's Screening Test

Question
since my baby has no three vessels,i took a quad check blood test,and it came out negative,so what does that mean exactly?

Answer
The quad test is a screening test to check for the presence of neural tube defects (spina bifida, anencephaly, etc) as well as a screen for Down Syndrome. If it was negative, it is a good sign  that all is well. However, if you are missinig one umbilical artery, there is an increased risk of structural anomalies. I would have a sonogram done at 36 weeks gestation and make sure that the baby is checked thoroughly after it is born. I have had many patients with absence of one umbilical vessel and they all have had no defects in the baby. Don't worry.