Yes, Hope Generation Institute is the only center that can measure amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) concentration in those undergoing amniocentesis for any reason, based on which the risk of nerve cord disorders is calculated. If the amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein concentration increases, amniotic fluid acetylcholinesterase is measured. If amniotic fluid acetylcholinesterase is positive even though ultrasound findings are normal, the diagnosis of neural tube disorders (NTDs) is confirmed.

If the abnormality is definite, it will be treated according to the diagnostic protocols according to the type of anomaly and its severity.

If a problem is observed in the fetus, according to the type of anomaly observed, it should be determined whether the above anomaly is one of the cases in which the forensic doctor allows abortion or not, and in general, when an anomaly is observed in the fetus, it is necessary to consult with perinatologist colleagues.

Research is currently underway to understand the effects of COVID 19 infection on expectant mothers. Information about this virus is limited, but there is currently no evidence that pregnant mothers are at greater risk of severe disease than the general population. However, due to changes in the body and immune system during pregnancy, we know that pregnant mothers can be affected by some respiratory infections. Therefore, it is very important that they take precautions to protect themselves from COVID-19 and report possible symptoms (including fever, cough, or difficulty breathing) to their doctor.

Corona laboratory diagnosis protocols and their eligibility vary depending on where you live. However, WHO (World Health Organization) recommendations are that pregnant mothers with symptoms of COVID-19 should be prioritized for testing. Because this group may need specialized care if they have COVID-19. But remember that a negative test for the coronavirus does not rule out 100% infection. Therefore, in the conditions of the spread of this virus, take the health recommendations seriously and be sure to consult your doctor before doing the test.

Pregnant mothers should take the same preventive measures as everyone else to avoid contracting COVID-19. You can protect yourself by using the following: Wash your hands regularly with alcohol wipes or soap and water. Remember that frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water is the best way to prevent the virus./ Keep the distance between yourself and others (at least 1.5 to 2 meters) and don't be in crowded spaces./ Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth./ When you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or, if not available, with your elbow. Throw the used tissue in the bin with the door./ If you have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, contact your doctor or the nearest health center immediately./ Remember that expectant mothers, even those affected by COVID-19, should attend their usual care appointments (prenatal screening, routine prenatal care, etc.). But they must follow the health recommendations (use of masks, gloves,...)

It seems that the coronavirus is mainly transmitted through close contact with an infected person and respiratory particles or by surfaces contaminated with the virus. The issue of whether a pregnant mother can transmit the coronavirus to her fetus or her baby after delivery has not yet been fully investigated. But there are reports that fortunately mothers and babies who tested positive are doing well. However, this issue needs more research.

• Staying at home for pregnant mothers does not mean absolute rest, because the possibility of blood clots in pregnant women is more than in other people. Pregnant mothers should be active at home, consumption of warm liquids is recommended for this group of mothers.
• Pregnant mothers should contact their doctor or medical center in case of visible symptoms such as excessive weight gain or swelling of hands and face.
• Pregnant mothers can monitor the health of the fetus by monitoring its movements, and if they notice a decrease in the movement of the fetus, they should contact their doctor or a medical center.
• Pregnant mothers should not travel in closed and crowded environments.
• If the weather is clean and suitable, pregnant mothers can be in the sunny weather for a short and limited period by following the health tips.
• At present, anxiety and worry resulting from the spread of Corona are very common, therefore pregnant mothers are advised to avoid stress and contact a psychologist/psychiatrist if needed to better control their anxiety.

Ultrasound (screening) in the third trimester is performed at 28-30 weeks of pregnancy and the purpose is to check and find anomalies in the fetus that could not be identified during the screening of the second trimester. 38.5% of anomalies are detected in the third-trimester screening and this group of anomalies is called Late Onset Anomaly. For example, about 40% of urinary system anomalies can be detected after 24 weeks. Also, anomalies in the digestive system of the fetus can generally be examined and identified after the 24th week of pregnancy. Of course, anomalies such as umbilical hernia or gastroschisis (abdominal wall closure defect) can be investigated and identified during the screening during the first trimester of pregnancy. Diseases related to the skeletal system of the fetus(Bone dysplasia) can generally be identified after the 24th week of pregnancy. It should be noted that the severe forms of bone dysplasias that cause stillbirth or the birth of a baby with low breathing capacity and cause death after birth can be identified during the screening of the second trimester.

It can be done from the 11th week of pregnancy to the 13th week of 6 days so that the fetal length (CRL) is in the range of 45 to 84 mm.

If you don't have an ultrasound to calculate the gestational age, don't worry. In the screening ultrasound, the length of the fetus is measured first. If the gestational age is suitable, the first-trimester screening is done, otherwise, you will be guided.

Your screening ultrasound must have the necessary criteria to record information in the institution's risk assessment software so that we can use this ultrasound for screening. Therefore, contact HopeGene Medical Institute to answer this question.

no Mental retardation has different causes, in this screening, only three chromosomal disorders, i.e. Down's syndrome, Edward's syndrome, and Pato's syndrome is screened

no Answers are based on probabilities. The accuracy of this screening is 90-94%, there is a 6-10% chance of error.

It is recommended to consult as soon as possible so that they can guide you about diagnostic tests (amniocentesis or CVS) or supplementary tests (NIPT) based on the mother's age and gestational age and other conditions.

Yes. Because the screening of the second trimester is done only by measuring the amount of four hormones Inhibin - A, AFP, UE3, and Total - hCG in the mother's blood.

Genetic and perinatology counseling and targeted ultrasound (spinal cord) are recommended.

• Yes, HopeGene Medical Institute is the only center that can measure amniotic fluid alpha photoprotein (AFP) concentration in those undergoing amniocentesis for any reason, based on which the risk of nerve cord disorders is calculated. If the amniotic fluid alpha-photoprotein concentration increases, amniotic fluid acetylcholinesterase is measured.
• If amniotic fluid acetylcholinesterase is positive even though ultrasound findings are normal, diagnosis of disorders
• Neural tube defects (NTDs) are recorded.

Considering that the common defects and syndromes under investigation, including Down's syndrome (trisomy 21), Edward's syndrome (trisomy 18), and Pato's syndrome (trisomy 13) are also seen in families that have no history, so it is recommended Let all women at any age perform screening tests for chromosomal abnormalities and necessary ultrasounds. On the other hand, in the ultrasound of the first trimester, the fetal length (CRL), which determines the gestational age, is measured accurately and according to the standards of the International Fetus Association (FMF), which determines the importance of determining the age and growth of the fetus in the design of pregnancy. It is basic.

Screening for chromosomal abnormalities: If ultrasound indicators are combined with laboratory indicators (Free β-hCG and PAPP-A) and maternal age, the number of women needing an invasive test will significantly decrease from about 20 to less than 3%, and at the same time, the amount It increases the diagnosis of Down syndrome and other chromosomal disorders from less than 50% to more than 95%.Accurate determination of gestational age.

With early diagnosis of many fetal disorders, in affected fetuses, pregnancy can be terminated earlier and with fewer complications. Screening of pregnant mothers for pre-eclampsia: The 11-13 week scan can be used to identify women at increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia (preeclampsia) during pregnancy. (In this center, in the ultrasound of the first trimester of pregnancy, color doppler ultrasound is performed with an advanced method to screen for pregnancy poisoning.)

A second-trimester screening ultrasound is done between the 16th week of pregnancy and the 22nd week of pregnancy. In pregnancies whose age is well determined and it seems that they do not need amniocentesis, the examination at 20-22 weeks is optimal. Also, if the age of pregnancy is not well determined, early scanning is required to determine the exact age and anatomical examination. In Iran, it should be noted that if there is an anomaly that requires a legal abortion, a forensic doctor is needed to obtain a legal abortion license before 18 weeks and 6 days, so it is better to schedule the time of the anomaly scan in a form so that if there is Anomaly leading to abortion, its diagnosis should be done before 18 weeks and 6 days.

If the NT is equal to or more than 3mm in the first-trimester screening and the diagnostic tests are Low Risk, in this case, an anomaly. The scan will be performed in the 16th week, and if NF is reported to be more than 6mm, diagnostic tests need to be performed to check TORCH. Infectious diseases transmitted from mother to fetus) and if NF is less than 6mm, it is necessary to repeat the anomaly scan in the 18th week of pregnancy and perform an echocardiography of the fetus. In societies where the laws are based on the Sharia of the religion of Prophet Moses (PBUH), the time of anomaly is in the 16th and 17th week, so that if the fetus has an anomaly leading to legal abortion, it can be determined before the 18th week. Some centers recommend that the anomaly scan be done at 16 weeks so that it has the same time as the time of genetic investigation of amniocentesis or quadruple serum screening.

If no abnormality is observed in the examination of the fetus, the time of performing the sonogram of the anomaly scan is at least 30 minutes, and if there is an anomaly in the fetus, the examination time is more than one hour depending on the type of anomaly. In the ultrasound scan, all organs and organs of the fetus are examined and measured in a systematic and specific form, and the measurements are compared with the tables of reference books to determine how the fetus grows and develops and whether it is standard or non-standard. Determine the development of the fetus.

1. When the mother is obese, the fat on the abdominal wall causes us to not be able to evaluate the fetus well, so it is recommended to repeat the abnormal ultrasound in the 24th week of pregnancy.
2. When things like choroid plexus cysts are observed as an isolated finding in the examination of the fetus and it is recommended to perform anomalous sonography in the 25th week of pregnancy, because the above-mentioned cysts mostly disappear by the 25th week, and the sonographer must be sure about this. (An isolated finding is a finding that is not accompanied by a specific anomaly in the fetus and is observed in a low-risk fetus.)
3. If during the ultrasound scan, it is observed that the uterine arteries have flow with There is a little resistance of the wings. It is necessary to re-examine the above-mentioned artery in the 25th week of pregnancy.

• Since the fetus has grown in the second trimester of pregnancy, the examination of the fetus is cross-sectional and the entire fetus
• cannot be seen in one scan. 

It is better if the bladder is half full.

About 60% of fetal anomalies are identified during the second-trimester anomaly scan, and a series of fetal anomalies, including/ anomalies related to the digestive system, urinary system, and bones, can be detected in the following weeks.