What is the purpose of this test?
The Prenatal Profile (OB) Blood Test Panel is a set of blood tests that are done during pregnancy to check the health of the mother and the developing baby. This panel usually includes tests for blood type, Rh factor, anemia, infections, and other conditions that could affect the pregnancy. This panel aims to detect any potential health problems early on so that they can be treated promptly to ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery. It also helps doctors monitor the baby's development and detect any potential issues that may need further attention.
The Prenatal Profile (OB) Blood Test Panel includes:
ABO Group and RHO(b) Typing - The ABO Group and RHO(b) Typing blood test is a prenatal screening test that helps identify a woman's blood type and Rh factor, which is beneficial for identifying potential blood type incompatibilities between the mother and fetus. This can cause serious complications, but by detecting these early on, doctors can take necessary precautions to ensure a safe pregnancy.
Complete Blood Count (CBC) With Differential and Platelets - measures various components of the blood, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. An abnormal CBC result can indicate anemia, infection, inflammation, or other blood disorders affecting kidney function.
- White Blood Cells (WBC) - The body's primary defense against disease and helps to fight infection.
- Red Blood Cells (RBC) - Responsible for carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide away from all cells. Iron deficiency will lower the RBC count.
- Hemoglobin - A chemical compound inside red cells that transports oxygen through the bloodstream to all body cells. Hemoglobin gives the red color to blood.
- Hematocrit - Measures the amount of space red blood cells take up in the blood. It is reported as a percentage.
- Neutrophils - Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cells created by the bone marrow to combat various inflammatory and infectious diseases.
- Lymphocytes - B-cells and T-cells are lymphocytes that fight bacteria and other pathogens in the blood. They are primarily found in the lymph system.
- Monocytes - Working alongside neutrophils, monocytes play a vital role in fighting infections and other diseases and clearing away dead or damaged cells.
- Eosinophils - White blood cells called eosinophils activate in response to allergies and certain infections.
- Basophils - Basophils play a role in detecting infections early on, aiding in wound healing, and reacting to allergic responses.
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) - The average hemoglobin concentration within a red blood cell.
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) - A red blood cell's average hemoglobin concentration percentage.
- Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) - The average size of red blood cells.
- Platelets - Blood cell particles associated with the forming of blood clots.
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) - Measures the amount of red blood cell variation in volume and size.
- Absolute Neutrophils - The absolute neutrophil count measures the number of neutrophils in your blood. Normal range is 2,500-7,000 per microliter. Counts outside this range indicate a possible condition.
- Absolute Lymphocytes - To calculate your absolute lymphocyte count, multiply your white blood cell count by the percentage of lymphocytes. This gives you the number of lymphocytes as an absolute number.
- Absolute Monocytes - The absolute monocyte count indicates the number of monocytes in the blood, helping to identify if the count is normal, high, or low.
- Absolute Eosinophils - Absolute eosinophil count measures the number of eosinophils in blood by multiplying the percentage of eosinophils in a complete blood count with the total number of white blood cells in the same count.
- Absolute Basophils - Absolute basophil count is calculated by multiplying the percentage of basophils by the total number of white blood cells in a blood sample.
Lipid Panel With Total Cholesterol: HDL Ratio
- Cholesterol, Total - A measurement used to assess heart health. Cholesterol is required by your body to build healthy cells, but high cholesterol levels can increase your risk of heart disease.
- Triglycerides - Surplus fats that are transported in the bloodstream and are also responsible for providing energy to the body.
- HDL Cholesterol - High-density lipoproteins, or "good" cholesterol, take cholesterol away from the cells and transport it back to the liver for removal or processing.
- LDL Cholesterol - Low-density lipoproteins (calculation), or "bad" cholesterol, contain the highest percentage of cholesterol and are responsible for depositing cholesterol on the artery walls.
- Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio - This ratio is calculated by dividing total cholesterol by HDL cholesterol and is used in determining the relative risk of heart disease.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP-14) - A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, or CMP, is a blood test that measures various substances in the blood, such as glucose, electrolytes, and proteins. It is usually done as part of a routine check-up or to monitor certain medical conditions. The results of a CMP can help doctors evaluate how well the liver, kidneys, and other organs are functioning, as well as detect any imbalances in the body's electrolyte and fluid levels.
- Glucose - Blood sugar level, the most direct test to screen for diabetes and also used in diabetes management.
- Kidney Profile
- Bun or Urea Nitrogen (BUN) - An indicator of kidney function.
- Creatinine, Serum - An indicator of kidney function.
- Bun/Creatinine Ratio - Calculated by dividing BUN by creatinine. This ratio can suggest conditions including dehydration or intestinal bleeding.
- Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) - Measures kidney function to determine kidney disease stage and detect early kidney damage.
- Liver Panel
- Protein, Total - Assists in determining liver and kidney function and nutritional health.
- Albumin Serum - One of the major proteins essential for the healthy function of the liver and kidney.
- Globulin, Total - One of the major proteins that assist the blood to clot properly and also comprises infection-fighting antibodies.
- Albumin/Globulin Ratio - Calculated by dividing albumin by globulin. When paired with other test results, this ratio can assist in diagnosing various liver problems.
- Bilirubin, Total - Aids in detecting hepatitis, sickle cell, anemia, cirrhosis, alcohol, and drug abuse. High concentrations may result in jaundice.
- Alkaline Phosphatase - A protein vital in detecting bone disorders and liver disease.
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST or SGOT) - An enzyme helpful in evaluating liver function. An elevated level is an indication of hepatitis.
- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT) - An enzyme helpful in identifying liver damage. Abnormalities may represent liver disease.
- Fluids & Electrolytes
- Sodium - One of the major salts in body fluid. Sodium is important in water balance and the electrical activity of nerves and muscles.
- Potassium - Helps to control the nerves and muscles.
- Chloride - Similar to sodium, it helps to maintain the body's electrolyte balance.
- Carbon Dioxide, Total - Used to help detect, evaluate, and monitor electrolyte imbalances.
- Calcium - A mineral essential for developing and maintaining healthy bones and teeth. It is also important for the normal function of muscles, nerves, and blood clotting.
Thyroid Panel with TSH
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) - is produced by the pituitary gland and aids the thyroid gland in creating T4 and T3.
- T4 - is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that helps maintain the body's metabolism and other systems and functions.
- T3 Uptake - helps evaluate the number of proteins in the blood which carry thyroid hormones throughout the body.
- Free Thyroxine (T4) Index - compares the amount of T4 unbound or free to that bound to proteins in the blood.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus HIV-1 and 2 Blood Test - A Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) test is a blood test that checks for the presence of HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies in the blood. It is used to detect HIV infection and is beneficial for prenatal screening as it can determine if an expectant mother is HIV positive, which can then help prevent mother-to-child transmission of the virus during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. If the mother is found to be HIV positive, appropriate medical interventions can be taken to reduce the risk of transmission to the baby.
RPR, Qualitative - The RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin) Qualitative Blood Test is a screening test used to detect syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease that can be passed from mother to fetus during pregnancy. The test measures the amount of antibodies in the blood that are produced in response to the presence of the syphilis bacteria. Syphilis can cause serious complications during pregnancy, including stillbirth, premature birth, and birth defects. Therefore, detecting syphilis early on through prenatal screening tests like the RPR is crucial in preventing these complications and ensuring a healthy pregnancy.
Rubella Antibodies IgG - The Rubella Antibodies IgG Blood Test is a blood test that detects the presence of antibodies to the rubella virus in the blood. This test is beneficial for prenatal screening as it helps to determine if a woman has immunity to rubella before she becomes pregnant or during her pregnancy. If a woman is not immune to rubella, she may be at risk of contracting the virus during pregnancy, which can cause serious birth defects in the baby. Knowing a woman's rubella immunity status can help healthcare providers take appropriate measures to protect the mother and baby during pregnancy.
Benefits of the Prenatal Profile (OB) Blood Test Panel:
- Early Detection of Pregnancy-Related Complications: The panel typically includes tests to evaluate blood count, blood sugar levels, liver function, kidney function, and thyroid function. Detecting abnormalities in these parameters early on can help identify and manage conditions such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, anemia, and thyroid disorders, which can impact the health of both the mother and the baby.
- Screening for Infectious Diseases: The panel includes tests to screen for infectious diseases such as HIV, syphilis, and rubella. Identifying these infections during pregnancy is crucial for preventing vertical transmission to the fetus, as well as for initiating appropriate treatment to protect the health of both the mother and the baby.
- Monitoring of Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes are a natural part of pregnancy, but imbalances can sometimes occur and lead to complications. The panel includes tests to assess hormone levels such as thyroid hormones (TSH, fT3, fT4). Monitoring these hormones helps ensure hormonal balance and proper fetal development.
- Personalized Care: The Prenatal Profile (OB) Blood Test Panel results enable healthcare providers to tailor prenatal care and interventions based on individual health status and risk factors. This personalized approach helps optimize maternal and fetal health outcomes.
- Peace of Mind: For expectant mothers, undergoing a comprehensive prenatal blood test panel can provide reassurance about the health of their pregnancy and their ability to address any potential complications early on.
