Further copies of chromosome 21 result in the genetic disorder often known as Down Syndrome the place some traits are the end result, reminiscent of a level of cognitive dysfunction and different developmental delays. Typical bodily traits embrace eyes that slant upward, a flattened bridge of the nostril, only one crease on the palm (as a substitute of the customary three), and diminished muscular tone however not each individual with Down syndrome possesses all of those traits.
In an interview with HT Life-style, Dr Sonal Kumta, Senior Advisor-Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Fortis Hospital in Mulund, defined, “Down Syndrome is a situation or genetic abnormality the place there may be trisomy 21 (as a substitute of two chromosomes there are three). This impacts a person’s mental improvement and might trigger congenital abnormalities like coronary heart defects and poor high quality of life.”
She elaborated, “A pregnant lady can bear checks to test if the fetus has any genetic abnormalities. They’ll go for screening within the first trimester (13 weeks) and bear Nuchal Translucency (NT), which is an ultrasound based mostly check and twin marker check (blood check) which incorporates Being pregnant-Related Plasma Protein-A (PAPP-A) and the being pregnant hormone often known as Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG). These two checks have good reliability so pregnant girls ought to do these checks to select up widespread genetic issues. Submit the outcomes, it is very important meet your gynecologist for additional analysis.”
Dr Shiva Murarka, Senior Scientist-Reproductive Genomics, Neuberg Centre for Genomic Medication, mentioned, “Routine prenatal checks are supplied to expectant moms for quite a lot of causes and at varied phases of the being pregnant. They comprise screening examinations together with blood checks (together with Biochemical Markers screening) and ultrasound examination that may predict the chance that your youngster will probably be born with various ailments, reminiscent of Down syndrome.”
Speaking about prenatal testing choices, he mentioned, “An elevated likelihood of getting a baby with Down syndrome might be discovered by screening checks. Though getting screened carries no danger of miscarriage, the check can counsel the chance whether or not the fetus is impacted. Contrarily, diagnostic checks have a low danger of miscarriage (typically lower than 1%), however they’re correct at detecting varied fetus abnormalities. The American School of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACMG) recommends providing the choice of screening checks and diagnostic checks for Down syndrome to all pregnant girls, no matter age.”
Dr Shiva Murarka advised:
A. Screening Checks
That is non-invasive in nature and the check is carried out from the moms blood
Non-invasive Prenatal Checks (NIPS)
· Carried out as early as 9 weeks of being pregnant and outcomes can be found inside 7 days.
B. Diagnostic Checks
That is invasive in nature and is being carried out on amniotic fluid (AF) or chorionic villus pattern (CVS).
An amniocentesis process for genetic testing is usually carried out at 16-20 weeks whereas CVS at 11-13 weeks of being pregnant.
1. Conventionally chromosomal Karyotyping and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH).
· Karyotyping normally takes 15-20 days for the reporting because it includes the method of tradition of cells.
· FISH is gold normal for the detection of 5 widespread aneuploidy detection. That is the one approach to detect low-level mosaicism.
2. Microarray
· That is molecular cytogenetic approach with a really excessive decision. Not too long ago, Neuberg launched Cyto-one check which is an upgraded model of present microarray checks. Microarray can detect microdeletions/microduplications that present higher protection of fetal issues.
3. PAN – Prenatal Aneuploidy Take a look at
· The Pan check is able to detecting abnormalities on all chromosomes and sub-chromosomal areas, The benefit is that it has higher sensitivity and detection capabilities than the present check. It will possibly detect extra issues and covers all chromosomes as a substitute of simply 5, which expands its scope and protection. The check has a fast turnaround time of 48-72 hours and prices the identical because the earlier checks, making it extra accessible to docs and sufferers.
Dr Shiva Murarka concluded, “We advise that you simply converse together with your physician and a geneticist in regards to the penalties and your alternate options if a screening check yields constructive outcomes. What sorts of diagnostic checks can be found will probably be defined to substantiate the constructive end result. Moreover, the implications of the these discovering must be mentioned with the situation’s specialists, together with a medical geneticist in addition to your physician, if a diagnostic check reveals a genetic anomaly.”