Paternity Testing
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Prenatal Sample Collection
The paternity of an unborn child can be determined utilizing the same
laboratory methods used in conventional paternity testing. Prenatal DNA
from an unborn child is collected and compared to DNA from the mother
and the alleged father, whose DNA is collected using conventional buccal
swab techniques. The prenatal DNA can be collected by a physician
utilizing one of two techniques: amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling
(CVS). The type of sample collected will depend on the stage of
pregnancy. CVS is typically performed between the 10th and 12th weeks of
pregnancy, while amniotic samples are collected between 12 and 21 weeks.
Amniocentesis is an invasive procedure that involves inserting a needle into
the mother’s abdomen to withdraw a small amount of amniotic fluid from the
amniotic sac which surrounds the developing fetus. This procedure can
lead to damage or loss of the baby in up to 1% of cases. As a result, it is
recommended that patients wait until the baby is born, unless they are
already undergoing this procedure for medical reasons.
In general, a 10 ml sample of amniotic fluid is requested. Samples can be
collected in sterile non-preserved vials. Samples collected prior to 18
weeks gestation may contain insufficient fetal DNA for analysis.
Chorionic villus sampling involves inserting a catheter through the cervix
and removing portions of the chorionic villi. Chorionic villi are microscopic
finger-like projections that emerge from the chorionic membrane and
eventually form the placenta. The cells in the chorionic villi are of fetal
origin, and thus have the same genetic composition as the baby. This
procedure can lead to damage or loss of the baby. As a result, it is
recommended that patients wait until the baby is born, unless they are
already undergoing this procedure for medical reasons. Samples should
be shipped frozen on dry ice to the laboratory via overnight courier.
The paternity of an unborn child can be determined utilizing the same
laboratory methods used in conventional paternity testing. Prenatal DNA
from an unborn child is collected and compared to DNA from the mother
and the alleged father, whose DNA is collected using conventional buccal
swab techniques. The prenatal DNA can be collected by a physician
utilizing one of two techniques: amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling
(CVS). The type of sample collected will depend on the stage of
pregnancy. CVS is typically performed between the 10th and 12th weeks of
pregnancy, while amniotic samples are collected between 12 and 21 weeks.
Amniocentesis is an invasive procedure that involves inserting a needle into
the mother’s abdomen to withdraw a small amount of amniotic fluid from the
amniotic sac which surrounds the developing fetus. This procedure can
lead to damage or loss of the baby in up to 1% of cases. As a result, it is
recommended that patients wait until the baby is born, unless they are
already undergoing this procedure for medical reasons.
In general, a 10 ml sample of amniotic fluid is requested. Samples can be
collected in sterile non-preserved vials. Samples collected prior to 18
weeks gestation may contain insufficient fetal DNA for analysis.
Chorionic villus sampling involves inserting a catheter through the cervix
and removing portions of the chorionic villi. Chorionic villi are microscopic
finger-like projections that emerge from the chorionic membrane and
eventually form the placenta. The cells in the chorionic villi are of fetal
origin, and thus have the same genetic composition as the baby. This
procedure can lead to damage or loss of the baby. As a result, it is
recommended that patients wait until the baby is born, unless they are
already undergoing this procedure for medical reasons. Samples should
be shipped frozen on dry ice to the laboratory via overnight courier.
Newborn Sample Collection
Unlike older methods, a DNA
paternity test can be conducted
on individuals at any age,
including newborns. Samples
can be collected at the time of
delivery using umbilical cord
blood or the sample can be
collected after the birthing
process, using buccal swabs.
Results will be available in
approximately 5-7 business days
after receipt at Chromosomal
Laboratories.
Unlike older methods, a DNA
paternity test can be conducted
on individuals at any age,
including newborns. Samples
can be collected at the time of
delivery using umbilical cord
blood or the sample can be
collected after the birthing
process, using buccal swabs.
Results will be available in
approximately 5-7 business days
after receipt at Chromosomal
Laboratories.
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