Maternal and Prenatal Screening

 In 1985, the first maternal screening test was offered in the state of Iowa. The Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) pregnancy screening tested for neural tube defects, and was conducted at the State Hygienic Laboratory at The University of Iowa. In 1987, the Iowa Maternal and Prenatal Screening Program (IMPSP), a comprehensive maternal screening program, was established by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) to ensure quality testing and adequate follow-up services are available to all women in Iowa. The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology collaborates with the State Hygienic Laboratory and IDPH to provide interpretation of test results and consultation.