What differentiates VERAGENE and VERACITY tests from other types of prenatal screenings?
Non-invasive prenatal tests prioritize the safety of both the child and the mother. For genetic analysis, only a blood sample (similar to a morphology test) is required, and in some cases, a swab from the inner cheek of the father is also necessary. That's all it takes to rule out the risk of genetic disorders and assess if the pregnancy is progressing normally. Next-generation sequencing technology provides nearly 100% certainty in the results by the 10th week of pregnancy. How do these tests differ from others available in Poland?
It's natural for various concerns to accompany the joy of pregnancy. You don't have to face them alone; share your worries with your prenatal care provider and discuss non-invasive prenatal tests performed after the 9th week of pregnancy. Ask about when and if you should have them done. This way, many genetic abnormalities in the fetus can be ruled out within a few weeks. A small blood sample from a vein is enough to conduct genetic testing, and results can be obtained within 10-14 days.
What do VERAGENE and VERACITY prenatal tests detect?
Voluntary non-invasive genetic tests, such as VERACITY and VERAGENE, are completely safe and do not require fasting on the day of blood collection. Genetic material from the child is isolated from the sample with over 99% accuracy, ruling out the risk of congenital defects. In the case of the VERAGENE test, a cheek swab from the father is also needed to compare genetic materials and assess the risk of conditions like Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, or Di George syndrome.
Both tests can also assess the risk of sex chromosome disorders, which cause conditions like Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, or Jacobs syndrome. Additionally, the VERAGENE test determines the risk of 100 monogenic diseases, including cystic fibrosis and phenylketonuria. The list of detected genetic mutations is longer, and the results either exclude defects or confirm them, enabling prompt initiation of appropriate therapy in the latter case.
When should VERAGENE and VERACITY tests not be performed?
It's essential to note that prenatal tests should not be conducted if an ultrasound examination assessing the number of fetuses and gestational age has not been performed previously. Also, if it's not possible to obtain a cheek swab from the father, it's better to opt for a different test, such as VERACITY. Other contraindications include recent blood transfusion, organ or bone marrow transplant within the last year, presence of balanced translocations, placental mosaicism (in the mother or fetus), or close parental consanguinity.
What is the NIFTY test?
The market also offers the Nifty test (its extended version being NIFTY Pro), which is conducted from the 10th week of pregnancy using the mother's blood. It is applicable for twin pregnancies, although the test result pertains to the entire pregnancy, not each individual child. The NIFTY Pro test can detect conditions such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18), or Patau syndrome (trisomy 13). Additionally, it assesses the risk of lethal trisomies leading to fetal demise, including trisomies 9, 16, and 22. The Nifty test offers 99% accuracy in evaluating the risk of 84 microdeletions (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Potocki-Lupski syndrome, or Smith-Magenis syndrome) and abnormalities within sex chromosomes (its scope is similar to tests like Panorama).
What is the PANORAMA prenatal test?
The Panorama test is another safe prenatal screening test performed on request after the 9th week of pregnancy. At this stage, it can identify the risk of trisomies (13, 18, 21), triploidy (lethal conditions leading to infant death and miscarriage), and microdeletions like DiGeorge syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and Cat Cry syndrome. Panorama is one of the most sensitive tests available in the Polish market. Besides assessing the risk of genetic disorders, it also determines the baby's sex, like other tests. Results from the Panorama test are typically available within 10 days.
What is the PAPP-A test?
The PAPP-A test can only be conducted between the 11th and 14th weeks of pregnancy, preferably alongside prenatal ultrasound, to achieve a detection rate of up to 90% for identified abnormalities. It is a screening test that assesses the risk of common genetic disorders, placental function, and the risk of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. If the test result is abnormal, the doctor may recommend further prenatal tests, including invasive tests where genetic material is obtained from amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood for analysis.
