+353 (1) 685 6929 The Baby DNA test, often refered to as a pre-natal test, is a means of establishing paternity before the birth of the child. However, this test is also a means of seeing whether the unborn child suffers from certain genetic conditions such as Tuner’s syndrome, chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome or other congenital disorders . The article focuses on the DNA testing of the unborn child to establish paternity rather than the array of pre-natal tests which are carried out to chek for illnesses and the general health of the child and mother.
Post-natal versus pre-natal DNA testing
A post natal test is done after the birth of the child, even immediately after birth. For some alleged fathers, perhaps waiting nine months is too long but ideally a post-natal paternity test is the one to go for. Once the child is born all that needs to be done is rub a swab in the baby’s mouth to collect some cheek cells. A swab from the father and from the mother will also be taken so as to come up with a DNA profile for each. If the DNA profile of the baby and father match, then the father is the biological father of the child.
A baby DNA test carried out before birth absolutely requires the DNA samples of the mother and the father. The crucial importance of the mother’s sample is due to the fact that the prenatal DNA sample will contain a mix of the mother’s cells as well as the child’ and thus, it is crucial for labs to distinguish between the two DNAs so as to provide the correct result.
Pre-natal testing involves two main ways of obtaining DNA samples- the first is known as chorionic villus sampling or CVS and the second one is known as Amniocentesis. Both types of DNA sampling for baby DNA tests are invasive and involve being under local or general anesthetic and will thus need full medical assistance. Given this, there are much higher costs involved as well as certain risks.
Once the DNA samples have been collected, the paternity test can proceed as normal. Baby DNA tests are accurate and reliable although the thought of the medical intervention may not appeal to all mothers.