Prenatal Paternity Testing
Advances in scientific methods, ensure we can now offer 'non-invasive' prenatal paternity tests during pregnancy with no risk to your unborn baby.
Prenatal paternity tests used to determine who the father of the baby is before the child is born. Taken during pregnancy, the DNA profile of the baby is detected from free-floating fetal cells (CfDNA) found in the mother’s blood sample. The baby’s DNA profile is compared to the DNA profile of the potential father tested—his DNA is collected by a simple mouth swab. A report is then generated to show if the man is or is not the biological father. This test is completely “Non-invasive” which means there is no risk of harm to the baby. If you wish to add additional screening for genetic abnormalities or gender determination, please indicate when booking.
Having a new baby and facing questions about paternity can be hugely stressful.
Many new parents want to start the process before the baby has arrived, let our professional staff help you.
FAQ- Is it hard to perform?
We take a blood sample from the mother’s arm, this will contain free-floating fetal DNA cells (cfDNA)
The baby’s DNA profile is checked against a cheek swab sample from the possible father
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is used to assess the probability of paternity
FAQ- What Will My Test Results say?
The tested male cannot be excluded as a biological parent - this means there is a 99.9% chance that the tested male is the baby's father
The tested male was excluded as a biological parent – this means the tested male is not the baby's father
Uninformative result – this means we cannot determine whether the tested male is the baby's father. In the event of an inconclusive result, we will request another sample. There is no extra charge for this
Let us take the uncertainty away
The benefits are;
Analyses your baby's DNA
Tests for up to 2 Potential fathers
Confirms the father's identity before the birth
Non-invasive (no risk to your baby)
The test can be performed from 9 weeks of gestation
Baby's Gender can be confirmed (Optional)
Uses a maternal blood sample and a cheek swab from the father
Uses state-of-the-art next-generation sequencing (NGS)
Over 99.9% accurate
For more detailed information please read our brochure carefully.
The only other way to test for paternity while pregnant, is to collect amniotic fluid via a long needle into the amniotic sac. This is classed as an “invasive” procedure which also presents a risk to the baby, or you can wait and test the baby after the birth.
“Non-invasive” refers to one maternal blood sample. We simply collect the blood sample from the mother’s arm and take a cheek-swab sample from up to 2 potential fathers.
Test Technology
During pregnancy, the DNA profile of the baby is determined from 'free-floating' fetal cells found in the mother’s blood sample.
The baby’s profile is compared to the DNA profile of the man tested—his DNA is collected by a simple mouth swab. A report is then generated to show if the man tested is or is not the biological father.
Thanks to a complex laboratory analysis, cell-free DNA is isolated from maternal plasma and then sequenced using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technique and subsequently compared to the alleged father’s DNA which is collected using a simple buccal swab.
The baby’s genetic profile will be made up of half of the genetic profile from the mother and half from the father. Therefore, the alleged father to be considered the biological father will have to own half of the genetic profile present in the baby.
Paternity is either CONFIRMED ( if DNA of the baby matches) or EXCLUDED if the DNA of the potential father differs)
Test Limitations
PaternitySafe is considered a screening test and has a reliability of more than 99%, However, a small risk of test error cannot be excluded. The test can be performed on monozygotic single or twin pregnancies, with at least 9 weeks of gestation. For technical reasons, the test cannot be performed if either presumed father’s are monozygotic twins, if the pregnancy is bicorial twins or if the pregnancy is obtained from MAP with heterologous female fertilisation and the donor is not available for collection. Discordant test results may also occur due to one or more of the following: Biological factors, such as too low an amount of fetal DNA (Fetal Fraction) in the maternal blood sample, vanishing twin syndrome, an undetected dizygotic twin pregnancy, previous transplant organ, blood transfusions, maternal body mass index (BMI), maternal weight, maternal systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or other causes. In pregnancies that began as dizygotic or a multiple pregnancy, followed by the loss of one twin (vanishing twin syndrome), the DNA of any demised twin may still be present in the maternal blood.
In some cases, the analysis may show low ‘fetal fraction’ ( the amount of baby DNA within the maternal blood sample) which can lead to an inconclusive result. In this case, a new blood sample will be required in order to repeat it a little later into the pregnancy. In rare cases, even after repeating the test, it may again lead to an inconclusive result. Please note all bookings must be made by the mother. Results are always provided directly to the email address provided by the mother and are strictly confidential. The mother is responsible for distributing the report. Once the sample is taken, under no circumstances do clinic staff gain access to confidential information pertaining to test results.
TEST ACCURACY
PaternitySAFE showed an analytical sensitivity and specificity >99.9% in validation studies.
Inaccurate test results are rare, but they may be caused by biological factors such as limited foetal DNA in the maternal blood sample, factors that affect the blood sample such as prior organ transplants/blood transfusions, or unrecognised twin pregnancies.
Restrictions for Paternity Testing While Pregnant:
A woman must be at least 9 weeks pregnant.
A prenatal paternity test cannot be performed for a woman expecting twins or multiples.
We cannot perform testing with two possible fathers who share a close biological relationship.
Are PaternitySAFE test's accurate?
For a biological relationship to exist, the percentage match between the foetus and the tested male must come back at 99.99%.
Confirmations of paternity are over 99.9% accurate.
If the potential father is excluded as a possible parent, there is a 99.99% probability that he is not the father.
Legal Vs Standard DNA Tests
Depending on your circumstances and reasons for needing a paternity test, you can choose to have a standard or legal test. A standard paternity test is commonly used for knowledge and peace of mind. Whilst a legal paternity test is required for several reasons such as proving paternity in a court of law or immigration applications.
DNA samples required for a legally admissible prenatal paternity test must be collected under strict chain of custody conditions. This means that a trained sample collector will ensure samples are obtained correctly and from the right individuals, before they are safely transported back to the laboratory.