The First Trimester Screen | FßSM

A Simple Safe Non-Invasive Test

The First Trimester Screen | FßSM reliably assesses a mother’s risk for having a baby with Down syndrome, Trisomy 18 and Trisomy 13 in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Performed between 9 weeks, 0 days and 13 weeks, 6 days of pregnancy, the First Trimester Screen | FßSM is a prenatal test that uses data from a blood test (biochemical) and an ultrasound examination (biophysical) to yield a risk assessment that your physician will present to you.

Woman holding her pregnant belly

How it Works

  • Droplet icon

    Biochemical:

    A maternal blood sample is analyzed for three biochemical markers: alpha fetoprotein (AFP), free beta human chorionic gonadotropin (free beta hCG) and pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A).

  • Ultrasound icon

    Biophysical:

    An ultrasound examination confirms how far along you are in your pregnancy and measures the nuchal translucency (NT), or the fluid accumulation behind the baby’s neck. When a Fetal Nasal Bone Assessment is added to the protocol, the detection rate for Down syndrome increases.

The Advantages of Free Beta hCG:

NTD Eurofins is the only laboratory that utilizes free beta hCG in their screening protocol. The use of free beta hCG in screening for Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities has been demonstrated to be more effective than intact or total hCG. Intact/total hCG, while an effective second trimester marker, is far less effective during the first trimester.

Detection

Down syndrome

Detection Rate
False Positive

Trisomy 18/13

Detection Rate
False Positive

Test Results

Turnaround time: Results can be expected 1-2 business days from the time the sample is received at the laboratory.

Learn more about why NTD Eurofins has been the laboratory to trust for over 30 years.

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Trust

Our Goal is to Educate and Empower

Know your choices, understand your options, and talk to your healthcare provider about the best prenatal screening program for you.

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