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A DNA paternity test can be performed accurately before
a child is born through amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling.
Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
Chorionic Villus Sampling is usually performed at very early stages
of pregnancy, generally around the 8th to 13th week of pregnancy.
During the CVS procedure, a catheter is inserted through the cervix
and a small sample is taken from the outside of the gestational
sack by gentle suction. This sampling procedure allows the obstetrician
to obtain a small amount of fetal chorionic villi (trophoblastic
tissue) which is used for the paternity test. Paternity tests conducted
using CVs samples are just as accurate as tests which are performed
after the child is born.
Amniocentesis
Amniocentesis is generally performed
at later stages of pregnancy. During an amniocenteses procedure,
a small amount of amniotic fluid (10ml) is withdrawn transabdominally
by your obstetrician. Amniotic fluid is also an excellent sample
for paternity testing; paternity tests which are performed using
amniotic fluid are just as accurate as tests conducted after the
child is born.
Whether you choose chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis,
results are usually available 3 to 5 working days after specimen
collection. There may be additional charges
imposed by your obstetrician for collecting the sample prenatally.
Risks
Although a DNA paternity test can be easily
performed using either a chorionic villus sample or amniotic fluid,
it should be noted that both procedures carry some risk to the fetus.
Studies have indicated that the chances for fetal loss are increased
by 0.5% for amniocentesis and 1% for chorionic villus sampling.
Genetrack recommends patients who are considering prenatal
DNA to consult with their obstetrician before initiating the DNA
test. Patients who are considering prenatal testing should consider
refraining until the child is born to reduce fetal risk, unless
testing absolutely necessary or if an amniocentesis is already scheduled
to be performed for other purposes.
If you are in a hurry to know the paternity of your
child, you can also consider testing the child at the time of delivery
using umbilical cord blood, which will pose no risk to the child.
Genetrack will be able to provide results 3 to 5 working days after
the samples are collected. If you would like test the child at the
time of delivery, please contact Genetrack in advance to arrange
for testing and to have an umbilical cord blood collection kit forwarded
to your physician before the due date.
If prenatal testing is determined to be necessary, Genetrack
offers rapid and accurate results within 3 to 5 days for prenatal
paternity testing. The cost for a DNA paternity test involving a
chorionic villus sample or an amniotic fluid sample is the same
as a standard paternity test. Sample collection is arranged by the
patients with their obstetrician, and any fees imposed by the obstetrician
for the amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling procedure are
the responsibility of the patient. Once an appointment is arranged
with your obstetrician, our laboratory will contact your obstetrician
directly to arrange the details for specimen requirements. Comprehensive
results stating inclusion of 99.9% (or more) or exclusion of 100%
will be provided for all prenatal tests.
To schedule an appointment for prenatal DNA paternity
testing (or testing at birth using umbilical cord blood), or to
receive current pricing or an information package, please contact
Genetrack in person, by phone, or online. Our DNA advisors will
be able to answer any questions you may have or to help you to schedule
an appointment for testing.
Information and Appointments:
By phone: 1-888-828-1899 or (604) 325-7282
By Fax: 1-888-655-8877 or (604) 325-2208
Email: lab@genetrack.bc.ca
Appointments can also be arranged online by using the secure
online appointment booking form.
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