California Prenatal Screening Program
The California Prenatal Screening Program is an optional test offered to all pregnant people in California. The test looks for certain conditions in a developing baby.
You can decide if you want to learn about the chance for the following conditions:
The screening program includes two blood tests:
- Done after 10 weeks in pregnancy (ideally between 11 and 21 weeks)
- Screens for 3 chromosome conditions: Down syndrome, trisomy 18, and trisomy 13
- Can predict fetal sex, if requested
- Done between 15 and 21 weeks
- Screens for open physical birth defects, including defects of the spine and belly (ex: spina bifida, abdominal wall defects)
You can learn more about the California Prenatal Screening Program on this website: CA Prenatal Screening Program
Results
Results take about 1-2 weeks and will be posted on kp.org.
Results take about 1-2 weeks and will be posted on kp.org.
- Screen negative: This means that the chance is low for the baby to have any of the conditions the test looks for.
- Screen positive: This means that the chance for the baby to have a chromosome condition or birth defect is high enough to offer follow-up testing. This does not mean the baby definitely has a condition. More testing is needed to know for sure.
Kaiser Permanente members with screen positive results can have follow-up services at any Kaiser Permanente Genetics Department or any of the State-approved Prenatal Diagnosis Centers. There is no co-pay or additional fee for authorized follow-up services.
Last reviewed: September 21, 2022
Reviewed by: Kimberly Barr, MS, LCGC
Reviewed by: Kimberly Barr, MS, LCGC