Antenatal Virology Screening
UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) policy for the IDPS programme is to offer and recommend screening to all eligible women. This is to enable early detection and treatment for infections in pregnancy in order to significantly reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of infection.
The UK NSC recommends that systematic, population screening in pregnancy is offered and recommended to all eligible women for:
More information can be found in the NHS Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy Screening Programme Laboratory Handbook
Sample Requirements
8.5 ml of blood taken into a plain gel tube.
Required Information
Please provide the gestational age when the sample was taken and the tests required.
Storage and Transport
Transport at ambient temperature as soon as possible. Please refrigerate if immediate transport is not available.
Turnaround Time
Please allow up to 8 days turnaround.
Samples yielding positive results are sent to a reference laboratory for confirmation.
Extra Tests
Antenatal screening samples can also be used for extra tests where specific clinical details are relevant:
- Varicella zoster (VZV) antibodies (chicken, pox, shingles)
- Toxoplasma antibodies
- Parvovirus IgG and Parvovirus IgM antibodies (Slapped cheek syndrome)