prenatal screening program
Information for Individuals and Families
Pregnancy can cause feelings of joy, as well as fear, stress, and uncertainty about the future. Some expecting parents want to know as much as they can about their fetus (developing baby) during pregnancy.
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Prenatal screening offered through the California Prenatal Screening Program is a way to check on your fetus during pregnancy for genetic conditions and birth defects. You decide if you want prenatal screening. Your prenatal care provider should discuss this information and your choice with you early in your pregnancy.
On April 1, 2024, the CA PNS Program added sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs) – also referred to as X and Y chromosome variations – to the state cell-free DNA screening panel.
The California Prenatal Screening Program screens for the following genetic conditions and birth defects:
- Down syndrome (trisomy 21);
- Trisomy 18;
- Trisomy 13; and
- Neural tube defects, like spina bifida.
- Turner syndrome
- Klinefelter syndrome (XXY)
- Trisomy X
- XYY
Videos
Find out more about prenatal screening from our videos in English, Spanish, and Chinese below!
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Spanish Video |
Chinese Video |
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Title: California Prenatal Screening Program and Luisa’s Decision Language: English Published: 8/11/2022 Duration: 3:29 |
Title: Programa de Detección Prenatal de California: La decisión de Luisa Language: Spanish Published: 8/29/2022 Duration: 4:14 |
Title: 加州产前筛查计划及路易莎的决定 Language: Simplified Chinese Published: 9/20/2022 Duration: 3:59 |
Frequestly Asked Questions
The Prenatal Screening Program is a statewide program offered by prenatal care providers to all pregnant individuals in California. Prenatal screening uses a pregnant individual’s blood samples to screen for certain birth defects in their fetus. Individuals with a fetus found to have an increased chance of one of those birth defects are offered genetic counseling and other follow-up services through state-contracted Prenatal Diagnosis Centers.
Birth defects are conditions in a fetus that can cause physical changes and intellectual disabilities. Birth defects most often happen by chance and usually do not run in families. Down syndrome and other “genetic conditions” that the Prenatal Screening Program screens for in a fetus are caused by an extra chromosome. Chromosomes help the fetus develop and are found in every cell in the body.
Research has shown that “birth defects” is the most commonly used and best understood term for the genetic conditions and neural tube defects that the Prenatal Screening Program screens for.
If you decide to do prenatal screening, you will be asked to give blood samples. Each sample is checked to find out if there is an increased chance your fetus has certain birth defects. If there is an increased chance, your prenatal provider will talk with you about next steps. You decide if you want further genetic counseling and other follow-up services. They include an ultrasound exam and diagnostic testing.
Prenatal screening estimates the chances of certain birth defects. If your prenatal screening result shows an increased chance of a birth defect, diagnostic testing is needed for a clear answer.
The California Prenatal Screening Program screens for the following genetic conditions and birth defects:
- Down syndrome (trisomy 21)
- Trisomy 18
- Trisomy 13
- Neural tube defects, like spina bifida
- Turner syndrome
- Klinefelter syndrome (XXY)
- Trisomy X
- XYY
The California Prenatal Screening Program offers two screenings to be done in the first and second semester of pregnancy. Those who choose to participate will provide two blood samples for the two types of prenatal screening. Both screenings are recommended since they screen for different birth defects. These are the two screenings:
- Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening; and
- Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening.
Medi-Cal and private insurance must cover all program fees, with only a few exceptions. The exceptions are for self-insured employers and out-of-state health plans. There is no co-payment, co-insurance, deductible, or any other form of cost sharing, required of covered families.
The costs of the program are $232 for cfDNA screening and $85 for MSAFP screening. The cfDNA screening fee will increase to $344 on July 1, 2024. Pregnant individuals whose screening finds an increased chance of one of the birth defects screened for in their fetus will be offered genetic counseling and other follow-up services through state-contracted Prenatal Diagnosis Centers. These services are provided at no additional cost. These are the follow up services provided:
- Genetic counseling
- Ultrasound exam
- Diagnostic testing: chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis
Educational Materials
Prenatal Screening Patient Booklet (16 Pages)
Prenatal Screening Patient Booklet X and Y Insert (2 Pages)
- English (PDF)
- Spanish (PDF)
- Chinese, Simplified (PDF)
- Korean (PDF)
- Tagalog (PDF)
- Vietnamese (PDF)
Prenatal Screening Patient Booklet Glossary (2 Pages)
English (PDF)
Prenatal Screening Patient Booklet Summary (2 Pages)
The summary serves as an additional resource and should not be used as a replacement for the comprehensive PNS Program patient booklet. The patient booklet provides detailed information about the PNS Program, including consent and legal notices.
Prenatal Screening Patient Booklet (use “select language” button in top right of web page to view in additional languages)
Screen Positive Booklets
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Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome) (PDF)
- Trisomy 18 (PDF)
- Trisomy 13 (PDF)
- Neural Tube Defects (PDF)
- Turner Syndrome (PDF)
- XYY (PDF)
- Trisomy X (PDF)
- Klinefelter Syndrome (PDF)
Prenatal Screening Program Community Flyer
Prenatal Screening Social Media Toolkit
Please post and share widely with people in California who are or may become pregnant and the groups that serve them!
Program Resources
- Birth Defects Screened for
- Education Resources for Individuals and Families
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Getting an Unexpected Screening Result
- Newborn Screening: What to Expect
- Notice of Privacy Practices
- Patient Billing and Information
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Prenatal Genetic Testing Videos
- Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Information Survey
- Summary of Screenings
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What Happens to my Blood Sample After Screening?
Related Programs
- Adolescent Family Life Program
- Black Infant Health Program
- California Diabetes, Pregnancy, and Postpartum Care
- California Home Visiting Program
- Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
- Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Division
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Newborn Screening
- Preconception Health
- Reproductive Health
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WIC: California Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children