Screening

Question 1

What is prevalence in relation to screening?

Answer 1

The number of people with the target condition.

Question 2

What is a false positive in screening?

Answer 2

Incorrectly identifying someone as being at risk of a condition when they’re not.

Question 3

What is a false negative in relation to screening?

Answer 3

Incorrectly identifying someone as being at a low risk of a condition when they are in fact at a high risk.

Question 4

When do we carry out the screening test for sickle cell and thallasaemia?

Answer 4

At 8-10 weeks of pregnancy.

Question 5

When do we carry out the screening test for infectious diseases in pregnancy?

Answer 5

As early as possible. If initially refused, we re offer the screening test at 20 weeks.

Question 6

When do we carry out the screening test for foetal anomaly.

Answer 6

Offered between 18 and 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Question 7

When do we carry out the screening test for Downs, Edwards and Pataus syndrome?

Answer 7

Recommended between 11 and 14 weeks.

Question 8

When do we do a newborn hearing test?

Answer 8

Anytime between 0 and 5 weeks.

Question 9

When do we carry out a newborn physical examination?

Answer 9

Within the first 72 hours. We do a follow up examination at 6-8 weeks.

Question 10

When do we carry out the newborn blood spot test?

Answer 10

Between days 5 and 8.

Question 11

How to we screen for sickle cell and thallasaemia? Are the conditions inherited?

Answer 11

We screen using a blood test.

Both are inherited conditions.

Question 12

What problems does sickle cell cause?

Answer 12

Prevents red blood cells from carrying oxygen.

Question 13

What does thallasaemia inhibit?

Answer 13

The bodies production of haemoglobin.

Question 14

When should we reoffer screening for infectious diseases in pregnancy?

Answer 14

If initially refused at 20 weeks, and if the woman changes sexual partners.

Question 15

What 3 conditions does the infectious diseases in pregnancy test screen for?

Answer 15

HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis.

Question 16

What chromosomes do Downs, Edwards and Patau’s syndromes effect?

Answer 16

Downs- 21
Edwards- 18
Patau’s- 13

Question 17

What do Edwards and Patau’s syndromes cause?

Answer 17

Increased likeliness of miscarriage or still birth. If the baby is born living, the conditions cause severe brain abnormalities and the babies are unlikely to survive until adulthood.

Question 18

What sort of scan is the fetal anomaly test?

Answer 18

An ultrasound scan carried out at 18-20 weeks.

Question 19

Why must we detect newborn hearing abnormalities early?

Answer 19

Early identification is vital for speech, language and social development.

Question 20

Name 4 conditions which the newborn blood spot screens for?

Answer 20

• sickle cell disease (effects red blood cells oxygen carrying capabilities).
• cystic fibrosis (leads to damage of the lungs).
• maple syrup urine disease (baby is unable to break down certain amino acids which can lead to brain damage and death. Requires a low protein diet).
• congenital hypothyroidism (babies do not make enough thyroxine which leads to severe mental and physical disabilities. Thyroxine tablets can be given).